Former Secretary General of the Secretariat of Catholic Bishops in Nigeria, Monsignor Hassan Mathew Kukah and the European Union (EU) Chief Observer to April polls in Nigeria, Mr. Alojz Peterie have said that the only way credible elections can be conducted in the country is when politicians are ready to abide by the rules. They, however, expressed fears that politicians had not learnt their lessons.
Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim to order an investigation into violent crimes in Yobe State and also providing adequate security for the people as theApril general elections approach.
In the same vein, the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria,(ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has condemned the arrest of the secretary of the Northern Political Leaders Forum, (NPLF) Mallam Bello Abdulkadir, by the SSS saying, it shows that the PDP has zero tolerance for the opposition. A team of EU observers for the forthcoming polls, led by the former Prime Minister of Slovania, Mr. Peterie visited some stakeholders in the April elections in Kaduna, including market women, leaders of the Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Kukah to enlighten them on the need for the country to conduct a free, fair and credible election which should be acceptableto members of the international community.
Kukah, in an address said that apart from the fact the parties in Nigeria had refused to adhere to the principles of internal democracy in the conduct of their affairs, the recent development among the politicians also suggested that "the politicians have not learnt their lessons", pointing out that this situation may threaten the conduct of the forthcoming polls.
He commended the EU officials of the interest the international community has shown in the conduct of the elections, by sending a team of observers to monitor the polls, saying that "the very notion that somebody is watching us at your level, is a mark of how serious we need to behave".
"The very fact that the international community is very serious about what is happening here in Nigeria is commendable. One, this is because
at least it is placing a heavy burden on us to behave responsively,and that the role of referees or outsiders is so important like the legitimacy of the game itself".
Kukah argued that "Nigerians are concerned and anxious that the election succeeds, as against the backdrop of what is happening in Ivory Coast," pointing out that "we are all hopeful that this election will meet the minimum international standard".
But, he warned that Nigerian politicians must check themselves inwardly if they want the April polls to be credible as expected, stressing that "a lot of the things that have been happening in the past few months are indicative that we really have a reason to worry".
Kukah added: " My personal view is that the politicians themselves seem to be far more dangerous to the process than the ordinary Nigerians who just want to get going with their businesses . They don't seem to have learnt the kind of lessons that they ought to have learnt. They don't seem to have signed on to the rules of engagement.".
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Ribadu said the consistent arrest of any person or group of persons who oppose the presidency or ruling party at every slight opportunity is dangerous for the country's democracy.
The statement signed by the Director of Media and Communications of his campaign organization, Ibrahim Modibbo read in part, "This is at variance with the gospel of fair play and restoration of values which the party preaches." The constitution promotes freedom of expression and association, so why should the presidency, which belongs to the ruling party use state resources to intimidate others just because they think differently?
Also, the SSS yesterday invited two staunch members of the NPLF Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and Bashir Yusuf. This was after the arrest of Abdukadir Bello and Bibi Farouk just some hours to the crucial meeting of the forum in Abuja on Thursday.
Confirming the invitation to The Guardian yesterday Ayu said that he was invited through the Benue State director of the agency and no reason was given for his invitation.
On reason why he did not honour the invitation yesterday, Ayu said that he was in his village and had some burials to attend to. He said he would honour the invitation next week as he haD nothing to hide.
Reports yesterday quoted the SSS spokesperson, Merry Ogah, as saying: "the NPLF secretary is being quizzed in his personal capacity and not as the secretary of the Forum.
She added that she was not aware of Ayu and Yusuf's invitation because they were not with them as at yesterday.
Source: Kukah, EU Envoy Chart Path To Credible Polls (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41343:kukah-eu-envoy-chart-path-to-credible-polls&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)