2015 election raising concerns in international community —Jega

CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, on Wednesday, admitted the concerns in the international community over the stability of Nigeria, ahead the 2015 general election. ADVERTISEMENT This came just he assured that the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states later in the year would not be a repeat of the controversial governorship election in Anambra State last year. Jega, while hosting the Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, Ambassador John C. M. Groffen, who paid him a visit at the headquarters of the commission, said INEC had learnt lessons from previous elections in the country. The Netherlands ambassador had cautioned against political instability in the country ahead the 2015 general election, but assured that the international community would be ready to assist both the commission and the country to ensure stability before, during and after the elections. Professor Jega, while acknowledging the concerns of political stability as raised by the ambassador, said previous mistakes in elections in the country would not be repeated. “We are aware that friends of Nigeria are anxious as we move towards the general election and they are keen to know the challenges that we face, ahead of the elections. We are aware that stable nation will lead to improved economic growth. “Our job is to use electoral process to ensure that elections are conducted with credibility and add to political and economic stability of the country,” Jega said. The ambassador noted that he had been following political activities in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he described as “an interesting situation.” According to him, “we are interested to see free and fair elections, as it will help Nigeria become a more stable economy.” Source Tibune