Multi-party democracy is the best system of government, President Muhammadu Buhari declared on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Buhari said his declaration stemmed from his experiences as military head of state and civilian president.

He made the declaration when he hosted a delegation of the Universal Peace Federation Africa which visited him.

Mr Buhari wondered why some African countries are still descending into the abyss of unconstitutional change of government, saying, “I thought we had finally put that behind us.”

On the peace summit planned in Abuja to bring all African countries together before the end of his administration, Mr Buhari pledged Nigeria’s support “relative to resources to help in stabilising neighbouring countries.”

He decried problems in the Sahel belt of the African continent, lamenting that it was of great concern as they impacted negatively on agriculture and businesses.

The president described the interest of the Universal Peace Federation Africa in the continent as “quite genuine,” saying he was pleased with the development.

The chairwoman of the federation in Africa, Katherine Rigney and Thomas Walsh, the chairman of Universal Peace Federation International, said they believed the Abuja summit “will top them all.”

Similar meetings had been held in the past in Niger Republic, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, and South Africa, among other countries. 

Ms Rigney said the Nigerian president would receive the ‘Leadership and Good Governance Award’ at the Abuja summit.

“This is in appreciation of the fantastic results you have brought to Nigeria and a celebration of your anti-corruption credentials,” she said. 

(NAN)