By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, who is leading Commonwealth Observation Group to Nigeria’s general elections, has arrived Abuja, where he congratulated Nigeria for 24 years uninterrupted democracy.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Mbeki who is also the chairman of the group, said Nigeria’s presidential election is significant and will strengthen democratic institution in South Africa.
The former South African leader stressed that Nigeria remains the largest democracy in Africa and is strategically positioned to enhance democratic ideals and practices throughout the entire continent.
According to Mbeki, the Commonwealth had observed and supported the country’s democratic development since 1999.
He said the group this year will, focus on observing and accessing whether the elections are conducted in line with democratic standards to which Nigeria has committed itself in the past two decades.
Another focus of the group’s observation he added, would include examining whether the electoral process is transparent and inclusive and whether the conditions for a successful election are on ground.
He also expressed confidence with the preparation of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections coming up on Saturday, February 25. The governorship and state assembly elections will come up March 11, just two weeks after.
