12th February, 2019
Local and foreign electoral monitors as well as other political stakeholders would converge in Abuja on Thursday on how to achieve credible elections at the Annual Murtala Muhammed Memorial Lecture.
Gen. Murtala Muhammed was Nigeria’s Head of State from July 29, 1975 to February 13, 1976.
According to Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), this year’s public lecture would “provide a platform for broad-based solutions to key issues confronting our nation, including having credible elections.
“As the country prepares to mark another transition in its democratic journey, it is important to strengthen our electoral processes and promote active citizen participation toward improving good governance in Nigeria, taking into consideration the challenges confronting the country and the impacts on regional integration.
“The gathering will be an opportunity to honour the memory of the former Head of State (1975-1976) and assure all Nigerians of the candidates’ collective determination and commitment to contest and allow for free, fair and credible elections,” MMF Chief Executive, Mrs Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, said in a statement.
Muhammad-Oyebode said that among confirmed expected guests at the lecture are former Tanzania President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, Head of AU Election Observer Team, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia and Chairperson of ECOWAS Observer Mission and Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana and Head of Joint IRI/NDI IEO Mission to Nigeria.
Others are representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas.