A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday urged the Federal Government and the relevant institutions to ensure that the February and March elections are free and fair.
Anyaoku gave the advice while speaking at a symposium to unveil the new logo of Nigerian Tribune in Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of the symposium was “Electoral Integrity, Legitimacy of Democratic Institutions and Good Governance”.
Anyaoku said the expectations of the people and indeed the international community were that the elections would be credible.
He urged the government, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission, the security agencies and other relevant institutions to meet the expectations.
Anyaoku said the rest of the world was keenly watching Nigeria and the conduct of election would determine how the country would be viewed and treated by the international community.
“As our country is preparing for the general elections in two weeks time, I have three observations to share with the Nigerian government, INEC and others.
“First, Nigeria’s friends and the whole of the international community are watching. Watching the behaviour of Federal Government and its agencies, especially the police, the army and the other law-enforcement agents, to see how far we respect the country’s constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections.
“From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world.
“Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while of course guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community.
“Otherwise, the country would return to the pariah status which she happily exited in 1999 when it once more embraced democracy.
“My second observation is that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the last governorship elections in Ondo and Anambra States.
“But it must be admitted that it attracted criticisms for its conduct of subsequent elections in both Ekiti and Osun States.
“I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of our forthcoming elections will depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results to truly represent the will of the people.
“Indeed, the image and standing of our country within the international community will be significantly affected by how INEC and the Federal Government as a whole are seen to behave in all matters relating to the elections,” he said.
Anyaoku decried what he called the debasement of lives by incessant killings in the country, saying the problem should be tackled holistically
The former diplomat said a return to true fiscal federalism was imperative to move the country forward.
Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, yesterday said Nigeria should get the 2019 elections right in order not to disappoint those that look up to it after the feat recorded in 2015.
Symington made the remarks when he paid a visit to the Police Command in Kaduna.
“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 laws which will define the future of Nigeria.
“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 therefore said it was important for 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 urged Nigerians to also interrogate politicians using hate speeches and disseminating fake news, as they are capable of dividing or causing problems among the people.
“These kind of negative speeches can have negative impacts in the future.
“There are other people who have pointed fingers at those who are saying the elections would come out wrong, saying the elections can be right if every citizen of Nigeria act on the understanding that they are individually responsible for anything they get from the polls”, he stressed.
He noted that so far, there has been cheering commitments from President Muhammadu Buhari and other leading candidates contesting to rule the country, to ensure that every vote counts.
The U.S. ambassador added that people must take responsibility for their actions, “first before God, second under the laws of the country, in the eyes of countrymen and lastly in the eyes of the world.”
Symington therefore encouraged all Nigerians to participate peacefully in the elections, to guarantee free, fair, peaceful and a credible honest reflection of their choice.
In his remark, the Police Commissioner, Mallam Ahmad AbdurRahman, assured that the command would do its best in providing level playing field to all political parties, candidates and the electorates to actively participate in the polls.
He said it was expected of all Nigerians to conduct themselves according to the rules guiding the election.
“The Police has no interest in the outcome of the elections or the person who wins eventually, ours is to police the process to it’s conclusion.
“We are the referees without a team, just abide by the rules and don’t engage in hate speeches right from the campaign to elections,” Abdur-Rahman said.
The Commissioner stated that the command has commenced the prosecution of those alleged to have engaged in hate speeches during campaigns.