ECOWAS and AU Observer Missions commend high sense of patriotism in Nigeria's elections

The ECOWAS election Observation Mission to Nigeria has described the current general election as being free, credible and transparent.  

The Mission said it is of the view that not withstanding the challenges that have characterised  the electoral process, the organisation can be considered as generally acceptable.  

The Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission and Former President of Ghana,John Agyekum Kufuor commended the maturity, patience and  sense of civic responsibility demonstrated by the electorate.

The Mission hopes that the same spirit of respect for order and discipline will characterize the rest of the electoral process. 

He charged  Nigerians to maintain the high sense of responsibility and tolerance during the remaining election period.

The ECOWAS Observation however regrets the violent incident that occurred during the election in some parts of Nigeria which in some cases led to the loss of lives. 

He therefore expressed condolences to families of those who lost their lives and urged the relevant authority to take necessary measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future. 

The AU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria has also given the Nigeria election a clean sheet.

Dr. Amos Sawyerr is the Chairman of the Mission.

Meanwhile, All eyes are on Nigeria as the people anxiously  await the declaration of the results of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections held at the weekend.  

So far the elections have been described as free, fair and transparent, with pockets of violence recorded in some parts of the country.  

It is however, not clear  when the final results would be released by the INEC. 

In a related development, The Executive Director of WANEP, Chukwemeka Eze says despite pockets of  violent reports in Nigeria's elections, the country has proved critics wrong with the  free and  fair  manner the elections were conducted.  

He said this has shown that Nigeria is still strong and  more united  and will not be separated by  the elections.  

Mr. Eze believes Nigeria will still be  united no matter who emerges the  winner.  

Speaking to Gloria Anderson, Mr. Eze said  the  posture of the two key contenders  after the  declaration of the results will definitely determine the  fate  of Nigeria.

GBC