Our responsibility huge, but won’t let you down, INEC assures Nigerians

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Our responsibility huge, but won’t let you down, INEC assures Nigerians

Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has again assured Nigerians of its readiness to deliver a free, fair, credible and inclusive election, despite the huge responsibility placed on its shoulders.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when he granted audience to the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission to Nigeria led by a former South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki.

He said: “We are aware of the responsibility that lies on our shoulders, but we cannot do it alone.

“Our work is clearly cut out with assigned responsibilities for the security agencies, the parties and others.

“As a commission, we have constantly engaged with all stakeholders.

“Every three months, we meet with stakeholders made up of political parties, civil society organizations, the media and security agencies, but we can meet several times a year depending on the issues.

“We are committed to a free and fair process. I want to assure you that INEC is not a political party.

“We don’t have a candidate in the election. The choice of who becomes what during the general election is entirely the choice of the Nigerian people.

“We are committed to free, fair, credible, inclusive election and verifiable elections.

“Elections in Nigeria are huge. We understand the magnitude of the responsibility placed on our shoulders and we also understand that a credible election is a pillar on which good governance rests.

“I want to assure you that we will never let Nigerians down and we will not let the international community down.”

Mbeki

Earlier, Mr Mbeki said he is leading a full complement of the Commonwealth Observer Mission.

“This is the seventh election in Nigeria that we are observing.

“Of course, I don’t need to say that the Commonwealth is more than a country.

“Nigeria is a very important country. It has an impact on itself and the continent as a whole.

“So, it is always very important that as the Commonwealth, we should come and be with you as you hold this all-important election and observe the conduct.

“We come very hopeful and confident that we will have successful, peaceful and inclusive elections and at the end, there will be no complaints.

“But that depends on INEC and the many other people that constitute your team.

“So, we have come here to listen, and to understand as much as we can, your own views in terms of the preparations for the election and all other things that fall within the limit of the commission.

“That understanding on our part is important because, in the end we will make a statement about the election and more importantly, make recommendations about whatever we see in the conduct of this election and give a comprehensive picture of what we see during the election as much as possible,” Mbeki stated.