Photo Credit: Ogochukwu Okoronkwo/Radio Nigeria
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu welcoming members of the Commonwealth delegation to his office in Abuja
The Leader of the Commonwealth Observation Mission for this Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure it conducts credible, Inclusive and peaceful election that would be acceptable to all.
Former President Mbeki stated this in Abuja when he led a delegation of Commonwealth Observation Mission to the INEC Headquarters.
He said they were in Nigeria to observe the elections as Nigeria was an important country in Africa.
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu told the delegation that the commission was aware of the enormous responsibilities on their shoulders and had been working to ensure a hitch free polls.
Professor Yakubu also said that the country had benefitted from the previous observation of the commonwealth and most of the innovations introduced in the country’s electoral system overtime were as a result of the observation reports.
Professor Yakubu told the delegation that out of the fourteen activities listed on the timetable and schedule for the election, the commission had concluded twelve, the remaining two which are the last day of campaigns by law was supposed to be forty eight hours to the date of the elections and conducting the election proper.
‘’The Election will be held in two phases; on February 25, we will hold the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. We have two Chambers of the National Assembly, The Senate and the House of Representatives. Two weeks later, we will hold the State elections, Governorship election in 28 out of thirty six States and FCT and then elections of members of the State assembly and we have nine hundred and ninety three constituencies.’’ Prof Yakubu noted.
Professor Yakubu assured the Commonwealth delegation that the INEC would not fail the country.
Earlier, the leader of Commonwealth observers Mr Mbeki had a news briefing were he urged all stakeholders in the 2023 elections to uphold their commitment to ensure peaceful and inclusive polls.
Reporting by Ogochukwu Okoronkwo; Editing by Chinasa Ossai; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare