29th August, 2014
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would conduct free, fair and credible bye-election in all parts of Adamawa in spite of security concerns being raised by stakeholders.
This was contained in the commission’s Daily Bulletin issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
The bulletin quoted INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega as saying this when he received the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Zenner, during a visit.
It added that Jega made the promise while responding to concerns raised by Zenner over the political and security situation in the region.
“As an election management body, we have a responsibility and our hope is that elections will be conducted in every part of Nigeria.
“It is too early to say there are areas where elections will not be conducted,” he said.
In it, Jega said the commission relied on advice from security agencies and was constantly having consultations and engagements with them.
“Jega also said that the commission’s hard work had yielded results with the successes recorded at the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
“He said that in spite challenges facing the commission, he was optimistic that elections in 2015 would be much better.”
Jega, according to the bulletin, said the much expected hitch-free polls next year was achievable with the support from development partners and international bodies which had shown concern in the way INEC conducted its activities.
“He also expressed the readiness of INEC to welcome any form of partnership that would improve the integrity of elections in the country.
“Jega also congratulated Zenner on his appointment as German Ambassador to Nigeria.”
The bulletin quoted Zenner as pledging Germany’s support to deepening democracy in Nigeria. “Zenner said both countries had in the past enjoyed good relationship adding that his visit was to further explore ways of improving such a relationship.
“We can learn from each other how to improve elections through exchange of ideas and views.”