Former African leaders who monitored Saturday’s elections as international observers under the auspices of African Union, Economic Community of West African States and the Commonwealth, have adjudged the polls “peaceful and transparent”.
This is even as they declared that the success will rub off on the region and the continent as a whole.
The former President of Ghana, John Kuffour (ECOWAS mission) and his Malawian counterpart Bakili Muluzi (Commonwealth mission) and Amos Sawyer (African Union), who monitored Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, stated their observations to journalists after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which started inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja at about 3.30pm, was also attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo and a few presidential aides.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Mr. Kuffour urged Nigerians to maintain the peace in the following days as results are announced.
He expressed happiness that Nigerians are so far showing patience and peace with the process. He further appealed to them to continue in peace, adding that Nigerians would at the end of the day know that they used the process to get the government they want and deserve.
“Nigeria succeeding will be not only affect Nigeria but West Africa and the continent, we will all be made proud of the success here achieved by Nigerians for themselves and for all of us,” the former leaders said.
Well, at this point some of us need to go back to our homes and we couldn’t go without coming to the State House here to see the President and the Vice for the good work they have done. Because it’s under their watch that this peaceful, transparent, credible election has been happening and is natural they be congratulated for the work done so far.
“So that is why we came to pay respect to the President, his vice more or less to ask leave. Of course leaving the rest of our observer team behind to see through the entire process hoping it will reach very successful conclusions so they make final reports to world.”
The meeting held at the same the Independent National Electoral Commission was announcing the final results of the election.
