APRIL POLLS: IN PRAISE OF PRESIDENT GOODLUCK, PROFESSOR JEGA AND HONOURABLE DIMEJI BANKOLE

April 11, 2011

PRESIDENT JONATHAN
Credit goes to President Goodluck Jonathan for his remarkable statemanlike handling of the April polls beginning with the Senate/House of Representatives election last Saturday April 9, 2011. The President’s consistent support for INEC’s independence is commendable, notwithstanding the national postponement on 2nd of April, and the cowardly acts of bombers in Suleja. Truly, the President so far delivered on his promise of free and fair election which had seen his political party like other political parties winning some seats and loosing some seats in the concluded Senate and the House of Representatives polls.

PROFESSOR JEGA/INEC
Significant credit must go to INEC under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega. INEC has shown sufficient sensitivity to the outcries of voters on some observed shortcomings in the past. The pro-active press briefings of INEC last Thursday notifying the nation about areas of shortcomings where election would not hold was commendable. That singular proactive step minimized avoidable costs. Last Saturday’s election shows significant and commendable improvement on the part of INEC’s service delivery. However, INEC will not be totally discharged until it carries the same spirit and energy for the subsequent Presidential/governorship/House of Assembly polls. INEC and security agencies should further deepen the integrity of the process.

HON. DIMEJI BANKOLE
We commend all candidates who have accepted the outcomes of these elections. So far, the real hero of this historic poll is Speaker Dimeji Bankole who acknowledged an electoral loss and promptly saluted his opponent who won despite the close contest.

Honourable Dimeji Bankole is the true face of a Nigeria’s democratic renaissance. He that accepts legitimate defeat is the true “winner”. Dimeji’s remark that “the race was not a life-and-death duel. Of more importance is the building, maintenance and development of our democratic institutions and processes toward true national development and greatness” should become a new mantra for all contestants in subsequent elections.

Issa Aremu mni.
GENERAL SECRETARY/VICE PRESIDENT NLC