American envoy, Anyaoku, Kukah, Awolowo-Dosunmu seek credible polls

Ambassador of the United States (U.S.) to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaokwu and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, have urged the Federal Government to ensure that the general elections are free, fair and credible.

Others who joined in the call for credible polls yesterday are, former envoy to the Netherlands, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu and Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Tunde Bakare, among others

They expressed their concern at a symposium on Electoral Integrity, Legitimacy of Democratic Institutions and Good Governance to unveil The Nigerian Tribune’s new logo in Lagos.

Speaking, Anyaoku noted that the expectations of Nigerians and the international community with regard to the coming election was that the exercise should be credible.He specifically urged the government and the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC), security agencies and other relevant institutions to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

The erstwhile Commonwealth scribe said the rest of the world was keenly interested in Nigeria and that the conduct of the polls would determine how we would be perceived and treated by the international community. Anyaoku observed that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the last gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra states

“But it must be admitted that the umpire was vilified over the way it handled subsequent elections in Ekiti and Osun. Also, Symington, who was at the Kaduna State Police Command yesterday for a courtesy visit has called for free, fair and credible elections in 2019.He said “the State of Kaduna is an important place during this election. I am here to underscore a couple of key ideas.

“The first being that these elections are really about Nigerians, decided by Nigerians under it’s law which will define the future of Nigeria”.

The Ambassador noted that the election is also for others who have looked up to Nigeria’s example of democracy in the past especially if it would be as good as that of the elections of 2015.

He called on Nigerians to decide on the election’s credibility like they did in 2015 so that it’s credit will be invested in democracy and freedom throughout West Africa and across the entire World.

He advised them to question any political officer who has drawn their attention in dividing or causing problems amongst them. “These kind of negative speeches can have negative impacts in the future”.