2023 GENERAL ELECTION: INEC Chairman Receives Mbeki-led Commonwealth Mission
Ahead of the Presidential Elections which comes up in Nigeria on Saturday, February 25 this month, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), received in audience the Former President of South Africa, H.E Thabo Mbeki, who led the Commonwealth Observers Group to a working visit on Monday.
In his welcome address, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the Commission has carried out 12 out of the 14 scheduled activities for the 2023 election, and noted that they have also been consistently engaging with stakeholders in all stages.
He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to a free and fair process, adding that the choice of who becomes president is in the hands of the citizens.
“We are aware of the responsibility that lies on our shoulders, but we cannot do it alone. Our work is clearly cut out and there are others that have responsibilities such as security agencies, political parties and others and we have been in contact with them.
“We are committed to free, fair, credible, inclusive and very viable elections. I want to assure you that we will never let Nigeria down and we will never let the international community down”, he reinstated.
On the benefits of the Commonwealth Observers Group, Prof Yakubu said,“We don’t take your observations lightly, your recommendations are important. I thank you for your recommendations made in the previous election and we look forward to the recommendation you are going to come up with after your observation of this election”.
Speaking earlier, Thabo Mbeki said the meeting will give the delegation an opportunity to hear from the INEC on its level of readiness for 2023 General Election .
“Nigeria is a very important country which has a huge impact not only on itself but on the continent as a whole; so it is always very important that as a Commonwealth we should come to observe the elections.
“We come very hopeful and very confident that we will have a successful, peaceful and inclusive election”, he expressed.
