We’ll not fail in delivering credible polls, INEC assures ECOWAS observers

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Aware that the attention of the entire world is on the conduct of the coming elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured it will not fail in delivering credible elections. Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission in Nigeria led by immediate past president of Liberia, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, at INEC secretariat in Abuja. He said the importance of the 2019 elections in the political annals of Nigeria has attracted much intention from the international community and has placed on the Commission, a burden of performing creditably to expectation. Yakubu said: “We are aware that the world is watching Nigeria. INEC will not fail the entire world but conduct an election that will be a landmark in Nigeria’s history and Electoral process. “Let me assure you that the polls will be free, fair and credible”. While appreciating the ECOWAS Election Observation team for its usual observation of Nigerian past elections and useful post- election reports, he said the Commission will look forward to an objective report of the 2019 polls from the regional body. The chairman expressed optimism that the report of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission will help in setting agenda for improvement in the conduct of future elections in the country. He promised full cooperation of INEC with ECOWAS team and other international Observation bodies from the European Union and the African Union. Head of delegation, former President Sirleaf Johnson said Nigeria’s election is important to Africa and the entire world because of Nigeria’s contribution to development of democracy across the continent. She said: “Today, Liberia enjoys 15 years of peace to which Nigeria contributed immensely. “Having gone through political transition and electoral process, I am very pleased to be part of Nigerian election process. Nigeria has continued to play prominent role in African democracy”. She said the team was in Nigeria ahead of the elections to meet with stakeholders including INEC and political parties.