Federal Republic of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan and other government officials at a service honoring those killed in the October 1, 2010 bomb attacks in Abuja that killed at least 11 people and injured dozens others.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Saturday, 06 November 2010 00:00
From John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja and Chuks Collins, Awka News
Nigerian Guardian
Jega Warns Politicians , Others Against Electoral Fraud
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has debunked rumours making the round that he intends to withdraw from the 2011 presidential race.
Also, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, has warned that the era when politicians abuse electoral process without commensurate punishment was over.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Media and Publicity of Jonathan/Sambo presidential Campaign Organisation, Sully Abu, said rather than think of withdrawal, the president was very much enthusiastic about the project.
“The Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation said the statement credited to Yahaya Kwande that “Jonathan would withdraw from the presidential race” was a figment of his imagination.
“President Jonathan has never contemplated and is not contemplating withdrawing from the race for the presidency in 2011. On the contrary, he is very enthusiastic about the prospects of his offering himself for service and helping to transform Nigeria,” the statement read in part.
Jonathan asked those behind the rumour to concentrate their attention on other useful ventures.
“The Director of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Organisation, Mr. Sully Abu, calls on Kwande to concentrate his energy on promoting the cause of his principal rather than embarking on a wild-goose chase. He is neither a spokesman for Jonathan nor a supporter of his cause. He, therefore, lacks, absolutely, the credentials to speak for the President,’’ Abu said.
He further advised all aspirants for the position of president to engage in campaign of issues. ‘’The Organisation urges all to adopt President Jonathan’s noble approach to political debate and his call for an issue-oriented campaign. Those who want to lead this country should put every effort in telling the people how they intend to transform their lives rather than engaging in a campaign of calumny,’’ he added.
Kwande, an elder statesman from Plateau State was alleged to have said that the President would withdraw from the race.
Meanwhile, the INEC chairman has stressed that anybody who breaks the electoral law in the forthcoming 2011 general election should be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He added that anybody who went against the electoral law in the forthcoming 2011polls should be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
Jega who spoke yesterday during an interactive session with some traditional rulers from the Southeast States of Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi Enugu and Imo at Onitsha, blamed politicians for flawed electoral process in the past.
He noted that they “break the law with reckless abandon,” without commensurate punishment. All such, according to him, now belong to the past, stressing that henceforth any culprit shall go in for it.
The INEC boss stated also that the task of free and fair election in the country was not the exclusive responsibility of INEC but that of every Nigerian.
He pointed out that it was difficult to deliver the type of election Nigerians desired without full co-operation of everybody, especially our royal fathers.
He said that he was happy that the two challenges facing free and fair election in Nigeria; “fund and time” have been addressed, so that the coast was now clear for the preparation of the election.
Jega said that the issue of Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines was now over, having negotiated with the selected companies, which have demonstrated their equipment to INEC, using INEC software and have completed the approval process.
Delivery of the machines is expected during second week of December, this year while registration starts January 2011. He also allayed the fears of break down of the machines because the accompanying batteries last for 12 hours, apart from spare batteries attached to each of them.
He stated that there was provision for over-night charging with generating set, which have been provided.
“We have always insisted that our actions will be transparent and that we shall always seek the understanding and support of Nigerians in difficult times. Kindly utilise your good offices to mobilize Nigerians to come out and register massively when the exercise takes place in January 2011” Jega told traditional rulers.
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