2011 Polls: Int’l Community Showers Accolades on Nigeria
- By Simeon Ogoegbulem
- Published April 27th, 2011
- News
- Unrated
NIGERIANS have continued to receive accolades from the international community following the successful conduct of the Presidential elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) last week, declared Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the duly elected president.
According to the results announced by Inec, Jonathan, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 22,495,187 to defeat Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), his closest rival and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), who polled 12,214,853 votes.
The result of the election described as credible however sparked violent protest in some parts of northern Nigeria. The protesters were alleging that the results of the elections were manipulated to favour the ruling PDP.
While many Nigerians are condemning the wanton destruction of lives and property, the international community are united in praising the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Inec for conducting a credible poll.
Leading the pack of the international community that have so far saluted Nigeria and Nigerians is William Hague, the British foreign secretary. For Britain, Nigeria’s former colonial masters, “the Nigerian Presidential elections represent a significant step forward, not just for Nigeria but also for democracy throughout Africa.”
Hauge said the election appears to be the most credible since the end of military rule in 1999 and congratulated the people of Nigeria for exercising their democratic duties and President Goodluck Jonathan for wining the election.
He also commended the leadership of Jega and Inec for its crucial role in the process as well as the civil society and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the vital role they played in supporting the millions of Nigerians to cast their votes at the polling units.
While noting that the elections were not completely peaceful, the British foreign minister stated that “it is to the credit of the Nigerian people that they voted in spite of the violence. It is also clear that deficiencies in the process and individual challenges to the reported results will need addressing.”
He therefore canvassed that those challenges should be pursued peacefully and in the spirit of the democratic values. He also condemned the violence that has taken place following the election that led to loss of lives
For France, the presidential election was an important step towards consolidating democracy and strengthening good governance in Nigeria. In a letter to the newly elected president, the oresident informed Jonathan that “I know you intend to transform Nigeria and I can assure you that France is determined to provide you its full support for this ambitious project.”
Also, the European Union (EU and the United States of America (USA) have also issued a joint statement on the presidential elections. The statement read in part:
“We have closely followed events in Nigeria during the election period, including by supporting international and domestic observers nationwide. We congratulate the Nigerian people on their commitment to democracy. We welcome that independent observers have commended significant improvements in the conduct of the election, and we look to the electoral authorities to address the deficiencies and concerns which they have identified in a timely and transparent manner.
“We are disturbed at and condemn the ongoing violence surrounding this election period. Looking ahead to the remaining elections, we call for an end to all acts of violence and for all of Nigeria’s leaders to act responsibly, to respect all electoral procedures and democratic processes and to pursue any legitimate challenges peacefully and within the rule of law.
“We underline that the lives and livelihoods of Nigeria’s people must be respected and that those responsible for violence must face due process and be brought to justice. This is an important moment for Nigeria. It is vital that the entire election process meets the expectations of the Nigerian electorate. The international community looks to Nigeria’s leaders to live up to both the letter and the spirit of our shared democratic principles.”
According to the results announced by Inec, Jonathan, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 22,495,187 to defeat Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), his closest rival and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), who polled 12,214,853 votes.
The result of the election described as credible however sparked violent protest in some parts of northern Nigeria. The protesters were alleging that the results of the elections were manipulated to favour the ruling PDP.
While many Nigerians are condemning the wanton destruction of lives and property, the international community are united in praising the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Inec for conducting a credible poll.
Leading the pack of the international community that have so far saluted Nigeria and Nigerians is William Hague, the British foreign secretary. For Britain, Nigeria’s former colonial masters, “the Nigerian Presidential elections represent a significant step forward, not just for Nigeria but also for democracy throughout Africa.”
Hauge said the election appears to be the most credible since the end of military rule in 1999 and congratulated the people of Nigeria for exercising their democratic duties and President Goodluck Jonathan for wining the election.
He also commended the leadership of Jega and Inec for its crucial role in the process as well as the civil society and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the vital role they played in supporting the millions of Nigerians to cast their votes at the polling units.
While noting that the elections were not completely peaceful, the British foreign minister stated that “it is to the credit of the Nigerian people that they voted in spite of the violence. It is also clear that deficiencies in the process and individual challenges to the reported results will need addressing.”
He therefore canvassed that those challenges should be pursued peacefully and in the spirit of the democratic values. He also condemned the violence that has taken place following the election that led to loss of lives
For France, the presidential election was an important step towards consolidating democracy and strengthening good governance in Nigeria. In a letter to the newly elected president, the oresident informed Jonathan that “I know you intend to transform Nigeria and I can assure you that France is determined to provide you its full support for this ambitious project.”
Also, the European Union (EU and the United States of America (USA) have also issued a joint statement on the presidential elections. The statement read in part:
“We have closely followed events in Nigeria during the election period, including by supporting international and domestic observers nationwide. We congratulate the Nigerian people on their commitment to democracy. We welcome that independent observers have commended significant improvements in the conduct of the election, and we look to the electoral authorities to address the deficiencies and concerns which they have identified in a timely and transparent manner.
“We are disturbed at and condemn the ongoing violence surrounding this election period. Looking ahead to the remaining elections, we call for an end to all acts of violence and for all of Nigeria’s leaders to act responsibly, to respect all electoral procedures and democratic processes and to pursue any legitimate challenges peacefully and within the rule of law.
“We underline that the lives and livelihoods of Nigeria’s people must be respected and that those responsible for violence must face due process and be brought to justice. This is an important moment for Nigeria. It is vital that the entire election process meets the expectations of the Nigerian electorate. The international community looks to Nigeria’s leaders to live up to both the letter and the spirit of our shared democratic principles.”
