Former President Mahama Blasts Jean Mensa in Nigeria | Read his statement
According to former president John Dramani Mahama, one thing that impressed him during his pre-election tour to Nigeria for the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) was the confidence that all the candidates and parties have shown in the Independent Election Commission (INEC).
All the parties, he said, have testified that INEC has paid attention to and considered their concerns.
Unfortunately, he said in a statement, “I can’t say the same for my Electoral Commission (EC), which was once among the best election management agencies in the world.”
“The hostility of the Chairperson of the EC and her other Commissioners toward one political party is legendary.” “How I wish our own EC could inspire the same level of confidence in all its stakeholders.”
He added that “unfortunately, I am not hopeful this will happen when we have an EC that has blatantly spurned all efforts by the National Peace Council to host a meeting between the Commission and the two major political parties, the NDC and NPP.”
Former President Mahama is heading the WAEF in Nigeria as the country chooses a new leader on Saturday, February 25.
Former President Mahama stated at a press conference on the eve of the elections in the federal capital Abuja that previous West African presidents are in the country to ensure a peaceful conclusion to the elections.
He hinted that they had been invited by the federal government to observe the voting and that so far they have been impressed by how committed all 18 candidates have been to ensuring peaceful elections.
“This year’s election is attracting this level of interest because Nigeria’s success and progress in this regard will go a long way in stabilizing democracy, promoting good governance, and maintaining peace in the sub-region,” the former Ghanaian President told journalists on Friday, February 24.
“We are pleased with the level of preparedness by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security forces policing the elections, and other stakeholders involved in the elections, towards conducting a free and fair exercise.”
He stated that last December, the Forum deployed a three-man delegation to the country to undertake a pre-election mediation mission.
The delegation included former Gambia Vice President Fatoumata Tambajang, former ECOWAS Commission President Ernest Vai Koroma, and former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairman of the UNOWAS Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas.
The delegation spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC Chair Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Security Adviser, presidential candidates, political party leaders, leaders of civil society, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, development partners, and other stakeholders throughout the mission.
