President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Monday declared that the days when politicians hire thugs to hijack voters cards and other electoral materials, and manipulate the outcome of elections to their personal advantage are gone forever in Nigeria.
The president while speaking at a meeting with Nigerian professionals in the United States, said that he remained fully committed to keeping the promise he made in 2011 that he will do everything possible to ensure that the elections in Nigeria become very free, fair and credible.
He assured the gathering that in keeping with that pledge which has been fulfilled in recent elections in Edo, Ondo and Ekiti States, the Federal Government will take all necessary steps to ensure that no individual, group or political party is able to thwart the legitimate choice of genuine voters in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
“The issue of credible elections must be institutionalised in Nigeria. Our electoral processes were not very good or credible when we came into office, but as I promised, we have been working very hard to change things and ensure that our elections are more credible, that every legitimate vote counts and that results are acceptable to the electorate.
“I promise you that the Osun governorship elections will be very free, fair and credible,” President Jonathan told the gathering while responding to questions and comments on topical issues in Nigeria.
