Don’t Interfere With INEC, Politicians Tell Jonathan

Leaders of some political parties on Friday urged political elites not to interfere with the job of the INEC for the nation to have credible elections in 2011.

In separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, the leaders said  Nigeria’s election problems were basically the interference with the implementation of electoral rules.

Prof. Attahiru Jega is the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Cross River State Secretary of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Azum Chris, said if the system was right, anybody could be brought in to head INEC and the system would check corrupt tendencies.

 “Outside this, I can always vouch for Jega’s integrity, he is principled and very honest in his dealings,’’ Chris said.

He said that the country’s main problem was with the leaders’ manipulation of the rules to suit certain interests.

Chris, however, said that in the 2011 elections, Nigeria would be looking for the best materials that would turn the nation around.

 Mr Obua Cletus, the Cross River State Chairman of the Action Congress (AC), also queried the electoral system.

 “Without doubt, it is only the procedures that people like me will question and not Jega’s character”.

Cletus stressed, however, that there should be no undue pressure on the new INEC chairman from any quarter.

He said Jega had a moral burden not to betray the confidence and trust Nigerians have in him.

“I have implicit confidence in Jega and I have my fears about him as well. In that confidence and trust, there is a doubt, given his employer, and if he attempts to play to the gallery”, Cletus said.

On his part, Mr Emma Ezeazu, Secretary, Alliance for Credible Elections, said he was optimistic that Jega could give Nigerians credible elections because,“ he is an expert with the right pedigree.

 “With public support in 2011, I think we are going to have much better elections than we had in 2007’’. 

Ezeazu noted, however, that the issue of a credible voters’ register should be addressed and the ongoing  reorganisation of  INEC completed.