The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has expressed confidence that the Commission will deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
Jega admitted that although the task would be difficult, it was not impossible to achieve.
The INEC Chairman said this on Monday in Abuja when he played host the Foreign Affairs Minister of Germany, Dr. Frank-Walter Seinmeier, and his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius, in his office in Abuja.
Jega pointed out that INEC was working closely with relevant key stakeholders to address challenges facing the country before the elections.
In the words of the INEC Chairman: “We know that these challenges are there, but our hope and prayer is that before the 2015 general elections, tremendous success would have been attained to ensure that elections are peaceful and credible throughout Nigeria.
”We are confident that we will deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
“It is going to be difficult but it is not going to be impossible.
“The support we have has inspired us.
“Our hope is that before the February elections, tremendous successes will be attained to ensure that it works.”
Earlier, the visitors had noted the enormous challenges facing the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of its preparation for next the 2015 general elections.
The German and French Ministers had expressed worry that the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria’s North East have the tendency to affect the outcome of 2015 general elections if they are not brought to an end.
They observed the enormous challenges facing the Independent National Electoral Commission as it prepares for next year’s elections.
According to Seinmeier: “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 until last week we were commenting on your effort and success in 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 successful as over 200 girls are still kidnapped and not yet released.”
Seinmeier tasked Nigeria to double its efforts at ending insurgency before the 2015 elections.
The visit to INEC, the two Ministers reasoned, would afford them the opportunity to have first hand information on the situation on the ground through their interaction with the civil society groups, government and INEC.
According to the German Foreign Affairs Minister: “We have come because of the importance of Nigeria to the world.
“It is better we have direct contact with the civil society groups, government and INEC, which has great responsibility in respect to the next general elections.
”You have enormous and great challenges.
“We hope that the elections will be free, fair and credible.
“We want to know your approach to the elections in the North East.”
Also speaking, Fabius urged INEC to defend Nigeria’s and Africa’s image by conducting credible elections in 2015.
He congratulated the commission for the way the 2011 general elections and subsequent elections after that were conducted.
He said: “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 will contribute to it, financially and will also dispatch EU observation mission.
“We are here to tell you that we have great confidence in what you are going and what you will do.”