The Commonwealth of Nations on Wednesday in Abuja advised Nigeria to organise free, fair and credible elections next year or face expulsion from the world body.
The leader of the Head of Africa Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Ambassador Ayo Oke, who handed down the warning while speaking during a workshop on credible elections in Nigeria at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Abuja, said that the Commonwealth was prepared to assist Nigeria to conduct elections that would meet international standards.
According to him, the workshop was a clear evidence of the commitment of the world body to Nigeria and the importance attached to assisting INEC to organise a credible and well-managed elections in 2011 that Nigerians would be proud of.
Said he: “The Commonwealth is committed to supporting the development and consolidation of democracy in its member states, and has developed a strong international reputation on the basis of that political commitment and its practical support to democratic processes and institutions. Indeed, no country can now aspire to be a member of the Commonwealth without demonstrating adherence to democratic values.”
While noting that, “democracy is a belief, and an aspiration, a process, a work-in-progress, and one which often involves challenge and change”, Ambassador Oke said that the people of Nigeria had greater expectations on INEC to conduct free and fair elections and promised that the Commonwealth would assist Nigeria in every possible way in meeting the democratic aspiration of the people.
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