FG reassures diplomatic community of peaceful conduct of rescheduled elections

The Federal Government has reassured the Diplomatic Community on the peaceful conduct of the General Elections, re-scheduled for Saturday and March 9.

Foreign Ministe Geoffrey Onyeama, gave the assurance during an interactive session with Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations accredited to Nigeria.

The Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr George Edokpa, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said Onyeama appreciated the concerns raised by the International Community following the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections earlier scheduled for Feb. 16.

He informed the envoys that the postponement was due to logistical reasons on the part of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and had nothing to do with Government interference.

He therefore call on friends of Nigeria and the Diplomatic community to continue to support and observe the process as necessary modalities had been put in place by various government institutions to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

The Minister also reiterated the fact that, whereas, the Nigerian Government welcomes the support of foreign governments towards the peaceful conduct of the elections, the line should not be crossed to interfere in the process.

The briefing session was also attended by the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by Federal Commissioner, Mustapha Lecky; and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

The INEC Chairman expressed readiness to conduct the rescheduled elections as all necessary modalities had been but in place to address the issue of reconfiguration of Card Readers, Safe protection of Sensitive Materials and the timely distribution of election materials in general.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, also gave the assurance that the Nigerian Police was ready to ensure the effective protection of election materials, INEC Officials and the electorate during the polls.