Mahama criticized Nigeria’s Jean Mensa when he compared INEC to Ghana’s EC
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that one thing that has been struck in the pre-election mission in Nigeria for the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) is the confidence of all candidates and parties have written in the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said all parties testified that INEC had listened and taken into consideration the concerns of the board.
Unfortunately, he said in a statement “I cannot say the same for the Electoral Commission (EC), which was once one of the best election management agencies in the world.
“The hostility of the EC Chairman and other Commissioners to one political party is legendary. I want the EC itself to inspire the same level of confidence in all stakeholders.
He added, “Unfortunately, I did not expect this to happen when we have an EC that has openly rejected all attempts by the National Peace Council to host a meeting between the Commission and the two main political parties, the NDC and the NPP.”
Mr. Mahama leads the WAEF in Nigeria as the country elects a new leader on Saturday, February 25.
Addressing journalists on the eve of the election in the federal capital, Abuja, Mr. Mahama said the former West African leader was in the country to ensure a peaceful outcome at the polls.
He said he was invited by the federal government to witness the polls and so far he has been impressed with the commitment of all the 18 candidates to ensure a violence-free election.
“This year’s elections are attracting this level of interest because Nigeria’s success and progress in this regard will be a good way to stabilize democracy, promote good governance and maintain peace in the sub-region,” the former President of Ghana told reporters on Friday, February. 24.
“We are pleased with the level of readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security forces monitoring the election and other stakeholders involved in the election, to conduct a free and fair exercise.”
He told me that last December, the Forum sent a three-man delegation to the country to carry out a mediation mission before the elections.
The delegation consisted of former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Vai Koroma, former Vice President of Gambia Fatoumata Tambajang and former President of the ECOWAS Commission and former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and Head of UNOWAS Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas.
During the mission, the delegation met with President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Security Adviser, presidential candidates, political parties, civil society leaders, ECOWAS Commission President, development partners and other stakeholders.
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
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