STATEMENT BY ODM SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FOLLOWING THE GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA
As the ODM Secretary for International Affairs, I wish to align myself with the sentiments of my Party Leader, the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and congratulate President-Elect Gen Buhari, his Alliance of Progressives Congress Party and the people of Nigeria following a peaceful and democratic electoral process that was concluded yesterday.
The election of General Muhammadu Buhari as President following a five day voting, counting and tallying exercise in Africa’s most populous nation demonstrates the great strides the continent has made towards democratization.
I wish to particularly congratulate the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission for conducting a credible process insulated from undue political interference and founded on manifesting the true will of the Nigerian people. This hallmark of excellence is worthy of emulation across the African continent.
Kenyans draw great hope for the future by this reassurance that truth can prevail in an environment devoid of graft and selfish interests.
I therefore wish to reiterate my party’s call for the IEBC Commissioners led by Chairman Isaak Hassan to resign forthwith in light of the “chicken gate” baggage they carry and in the spirit of accountability currently dominating the Kenyan political scene. The fact that their partners in crime, Smith and Ouzman, have been tried, convicted and jailed for three years in the United Kingdom for bribery makes the continued stay of Isaak Hassan and his team untenable.
The IEBC as presently constituted, further weighed down with the unresolved scandal of the KShs 19 billion procurement of BVR kits that eventually failed, cannot oversee an electoral process of the high standards witnessed in Nigeria. Kenyans deserve free and fair polls just as much as the rest of Africa and indeed, the world.
Hon. Joyce Lay,
Secretary, International Affairs,
Orange Democratic Movement.
Thursday, April 1, 2015
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