West Africa Elders Forum Tasks INEC On Credible Election
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
A delegation of the West Africa Elders Forum led by the former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, were at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja on a pre-Election Mediation ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The delegation, through its leader, former president Koroma, commended INEC for its efforts so far, but reminded them that a lot still needs to be done so as to achieve the desired result.
In his response, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, described the visit by various bodies and organisations as a source of encouragement and a clear indication of the importance of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections to the sub-region and beyond.
He said, “we are fortunate in our sub-region to have respected former leaders who remain in the forefront of the advocacy for good governance anchored on credible and transparent elections”.
The INEC boss expressed confidence that the coming together of respected leaders of the region as elders for credible elections, that there will be less of mediation in conflict situations and more of election observation missions in peacetime.
He noted that they are confident in the processes as they are conducting the 2023 General Election with a new Electoral Act and several innovations in voter accreditation and result management and preparations are approaching concluding stages but that they will not be complacent and will ensure responsibilities within their control are handled diligently.
Professor Yakubu, however, raised areas of concern, citing the prevailing insecurity situation in the country as a major challelenge.
According to him, in less than two weeks, three of their Local Government offices were attacked across the country, bringing the total number of such attacks to seven in the last four months.
While reassuring Nigerians that they will recover from the attacks, and that the election will proceed as scheduled, the INEC Chairman, appealed to all citizens to see the Commission’s facilities as national asset therefore, a collective responsibility to protecting them.
