Johannesburg – The Pan African Parliament (PAP) will be represented at the May 29  inauguration of  President Goodluck Jonathan, its President, Dr Idriss Ndele,  said in Johannesburg on Friday.

Ndele said Nigeria was playing a very important role in the continent and occupied a vital position in the AU.

“We are going to represent PAP just like other AU organs. The organisation has always maintained a close relationship with Nigeria.

“We will be very pleased to join our brothers and sisters in the inauguration,” Ndele said.

The PAP president also said  plans to make PAP  have full legislative powers  was on course.

Ndele had during the 4th  Ordinary session of PAP, which ended on Friday, expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of the elections in Nigeria and some other African countries.

He said Nigeria and  eight other African countries,  which had been able to hold credible elections,  gave hope to the continent.

“The good conduct of these elections gives us hope for a systematic evolution of our states toward the democratic models that we wish for,” Ndele said.

Ndele congratulated all elected  and  re-elected Heads of  State in the continent  while also lauding the electorates for their political maturity.

He also said PAP was encouraging African states to adopt the African charter on democracy, elections and governance.

The PAP president stated that free and fair elections were the  norms now  in the continent, adding that  there would no longer  be  room for  life  presidents or  family monopoly of  power with the charter..

“Africa needs change and if you want change,  you must go through free and fair elections,” he said. (NAN)