By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
North Korean government yesterday requested a political and diplomatic partnership with Nigeria, as it paid a courtesy visit on the National Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni, at the party headquarters to facilitate such a relationship.
The envoy of North Korea in Nigeria, Ambassador Chi Tun Chon Hu, addressing the chairman of APC, represented by the Secretary of the caretaker committee, John James Akpanudoedehe, said Nigeria is the only nation with physical presence in Pyongyang, for which reason it will continue to maintain bilateral relations with Nigeria having come a long way as a people with unique interests.
Pointing out that the growing vitality of APC in Nigeria will serve as the foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries, the Korean envoy said both countries share ties of independence together.
“Our two countries have a longstanding relations of friendship and cooperation. The leaders of the two countries and its people rejoices with the creative achievements which both countries are making. And have exchanged high level delegations. High level government delegations visited Nigeria to celebrate the first democracy day last year.
“The government and the party of the people’s republic of Korea prioritizes developing bilateral ties with the federal republic of Nigeria. The central committee of the workers party of Korea has congratulated the recent achievements of the APC and national committee of the APC have replied to the congratulatory message.
“We hope to seize this momentum to take our bilateral ties between the two ruling countries to a great level. The ruling party of Korea, the workers party has a history of 75 years. The workers party of Korea have put forth the policy of independence and led our people to victory. The policy of independence is something we share in common”, he said.
While pointing out that Pyongyang is committed to strengthening and developing ideas with Nigeria as the Congress of workers party in Korea is committed to ideals that will promote economic development of both nations.
He said further that Nigeria and North Korea have shared a lot in common, noting that the recent party registration was a huge success.
Responding, Governor Buni, represented by the Secretary of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), John James Akpanudoedehe, said the APC is the ruling party in Nigeria and the largest political party in Africa going by figures of its just concluded membership registration, which he said stood at over 40 million registered members.
“The bilateral relationship between Nigeria and DPRK goes as far back as 1976, and in recent times, our two countries have collaborated in the area of education and technological development. Our two political parties and our two countries can do a lot more together that would mutually benefit our people, our political parties and indeed our entire country Nigeria.”
He said APC therefore looks forward to more robust engagement between both countries and even on political parties basis.
