Allow Okonjo Iweala For WTO DG – Reps Tells Egypt, Kenya

The House of Representatives has asked Egypt and Kenya to withdraw its candidates contesting for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

The lower chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral National Assembly made the resolution following a motion moved by the Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu today during the plenary.

Elumelu in his motion insisted that Africa would only risks losing out of the position if candidates from the continent could not before the election reach an agreement to declare support for one candidate.

He asked that candidates from Egypt and Kenya should give way for former Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala for the position.

Naija News understands that Amina Muhammed and Hamid Mamdouh from Kenya and Egypt respectively are contending against Iweala for the WTO Director-General.

Also, Jesús Seade Kuri of Mexico, a trade negotiator, South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee and Tudor Ulianovschi, a former foreign minister of Moldova are pushing for the same position from their respective nations.

“The WTO has a vital role to play in trade activities, hence the need for a capable hand. Because of concerns that this is the perfect time for Nigeria to head this organization, we should reach out to the governments of Egypt and Kenya to rally round our candidate. Nigeria has supported other African countries for multilateral positions,” said Elumelu.

The lawmaker in his motion commended President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring his support for the former Minister of Finance whom according to him is best for the position.

The lower chamber, however, challenged the president to rally round other African countries to support Iweala for the position.

Meanwhile, former National Security Adviser, NSA under the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan‘s led administration, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has described as ridiculous reports making rounds that he was involved in an anti-party activity to help President Muhammadu Buhari emerged victorious in the 2015 elections.