UN Secretary General Wants Electoral Commission Boss Address Flaws

Leadership (Abuja)

Abiodun Oluwarotimi, George Agba Ezra Ijioma, And Edegbe Odemwingie

24 May 2011

Washington DC — The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to address the flaws observed during the 2011 general elections.Speaking during a meeting with Jega on Sunday, Ki-moon who is currently on an official visit to four countries including Nigeria, said however, that the elections were credible just as he observed that some international observers had raised concerns on a number of issues.

The UN chief also called on Nigerians to give the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu-led panel on 2011 post-elections violence a chance, pointing out that the UN had no intention of investigating the post-elections violence since the federal government had set-up the Lemu panel. According to him, there is the need for every Nigerian to support the panel.

Answering a question on what the UN was doing over the incessant violent crisis in the country at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Ki-moon said, “I urge Nigerians to support the panel set up by the government of Nigeria. We recognise that Nigerians desire justice over these violent acts but they have to give the panel a chance given that it is just starting to work.

“We cannot start anything now because the panel is still working and has not presented its report. We would wait for the panel to finish its work before we take the next step.”

Also President Jonathan yesterday told Ki-moon that Nigeria was not happy with the way Africa was totally excluded from the permanent membership of the UN Security Council, saying it was unfair and untenable.

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