The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this pledge when he received the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission led by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Yakubu acknowledged the significant benefits of conducting credible elections in Nigeria and the African continent, adding that the responsibility for achieving this rests on INEC’s shoulders. He further stated that credible elections will not only bring peace and good governance to Nigeria but also have positive effects on the sub-region. Yakubu assured Nigerians and the international community that INEC would never let them down.
Yakubu also expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to the development of Nigeria’s electoral system. He noted that Nigeria had benefitted greatly from the implementation of recommendations in the Mission’s previous reports on the country’s elections. Yakubu added that INEC looked forward to the Mission’s robust reports on the 2023 general elections.
Thabo Mbeki, on his part, expressed confidence that Nigeria would achieve credible and successful elections. He described Nigeria as a significant country with a huge impact on itself and the continent, adding that it was important for the Commonwealth to observe the country’s elections. Mbeki said the mission was at the INEC headquarters to listen to the level of preparations and render assistance for the commission to achieve its mandate.