Abuja, Nigeria – The Head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria and former Liberian President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on 6th February 2019 in Abuja, Nigeria, engaged various stakeholders of the upcoming general elections in a bid to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.
Madam Sirleaf while discussing with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu about the elections scheduled for 16th February 2019, urged INEC to do everything within its capacity to ensure a hitch-free electoral process.
She highlighted to the INEC Chairman that Nigeria’s democracy is important to the stability of the region and indeed Africa; hence the eyes of the world will be focused on its elections.
Also speaking with Nigeria’s Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu at the Force headquarters in Abuja, Madam Sirleaf stressed the need for security agencies to maintain peace and order while providing a conducive atmosphere for citizens to cast their vote without intimidation or fear for their lives and properties.
Both the INEC Chairman and the Acting Inspector General of the Nigerian Police assured the head of the EOM of the readiness and professionalism of their agencies to ensure successful elections.
Madam Sirleaf also had discussions with members of both the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its main opposition the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In separate meetings with the Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole and the PDP delegation which comprised of its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, its Campaign Director, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the party’s chairman Uche Secondus, Madam Sirleaf stressed the need for both parties to accept the results of elections which are free and fair.
The head of the secretariat of the National Peace Committee, Atta Barkindo who represented the committee’s Chairman and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Abdulsalami Abubakar, informed the head of the EOM that a peace accord had been signed amongst political parties and another is expected to be signed on 13th February 2019, which will stipulate that all parties will accept the results of free and fair results.