Seinmeier, German Minister of Foreign Affairs when he and
French Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Laurent Fabius led a
European Union (EU) delegation to the Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.
Attahiru Jega's office.
Seinmeier pleaded with the Federal Government to end
Boko Haram insurgency before the 2015 elections, The
Nation reports.
"You know that the elections you are preparing for are
taking place under difficult conditions, fighting two enemies
at a time. First of all, it was even last week we were
commenting on your effort and success fighting Ebola. The
second enemy we were talking about this morning during
breakfast meeting with different religious organisations is
against the Boko Haram and its terrorist groups.Therefore,
we know that the fight against Boko Haram is not yet enough
successful as over 200 girls are still kidnapped and not yet
released," he said.
Speaking also, Fabius called on INEC to defend Nigeria's and
Africa's image by conducting credible elections in 2015,
explaining that the visit to the commission is because of
INEC's responsibility to conduct credible elections by 2015.
"We congratulate your institution for the way you handled
general elections in 2011 and more recently the current
elections. Now that new elections are coming next year, the
challenge is tremendous. You have great responsibility
towards Nigeria. The image of Nigeria is at stake and the
image of Africa as well. We have no doubt that this election
will be free, fair and transparent. European Union (EU) will
contribute to it, financially and will also dispatch EU
observation mission," Fabius said.
The French minister of foreign affairs further hinted that the
delegation was interested in finding out INEC's preparation
to face the security challenges because of the current
insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria.
He said they were in Nigeria to let INEC know that they have
great confidence in what the commission is doing and what
is yet to do.
Fabius, who wished INEC success in conducting the 2015
general elections despite the country's continued fight
against insurgency and dwindling security situation. He also
revealed that the visit was to underline the importance of
Nigeria to EU, stating that Nigeria mattered not only beyond
trans-borders, Africa but also in Europe.
Responding to the envoys comments, Prof. Jega reiterated
the commission's commitment in conducting credible polls
in 2015. He revealed that the commission was working
closely with all key stakeholders in order to curb any
challenges that need to be ended before the elections.
"One of the challenges is security and how it could affect the
conduct of the elections. From our interaction, we are
working with security agencies.We know that these
challenges are there; our hope and prayer is that before the
2015 general elections, tremendous success would have
been attained to ensure that election are peaceful and
credible throughout Nigeria. We, as electoral body, are
adequately prepared to deploy but we need to work closely
with security agencies," Jega said.
The INEC chairman stated that the commission was taking its
responsibilities to contribute towards deepening the
democracy of Nigeria with all seriousness that it deserved
and promised to deliver credible elections in 2015.
"Obviously that does not underestimate the challenges.
There are enormous challenges; it is going to be difficult but
we believe it will not be impossible. The kind of support,
encouragement and assistance that we have received from
all stakeholders domestic and international partners have
not only inspired us but reinforced our commitment to
ensure that we deliver free fair credible elections," he said.
Jega, however, commended the EU for their support to the
commission, pointing out that the visit underscored the kind
of importance EU attached to the democracy of Nigeria.
"The support has enabled us to conduct free, fair and
credible election in 2011 and since then, we have been
receiving timely and important support as we prepare for
2015 general elections," he said.
It would be recalled that on October 10, 2014, the European
Union, EU, has condemned the death sentence handed to 12
Nigerian soldiers by the General Court Martial in Nigeria for
alleged mutiny.
Source: informationnigeria
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