Chief Emeka Anyaoku to FGN, INEC on the 2019 elections

As our country is preparing for the general elections in two weeks time, I have three observations to share with the Nigerian government, INEC and others. First, Nigeria’s friends and the whole of the international community are watching. Watching the behaviour of Federal Government and its agencies, especially the police, the army and the other law-enforcement agents, to see how far we respect the country’s constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections. From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world.Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while of course guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community. Otherwise, the country would return to the pariah status which she happily exited in 1999 when it once more embraced democracy. My second observation is that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the last governorship elections in Ondo and Anambra States. But it must be admitted that it attracted criticisms for its conduct of subsequent elections in both Ekiti and Osun States. I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of our forthcoming elections will depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results to truly represent the will of the peopleIndeed, the image and standing of our country within the international community will be significantly affected by how INEC and the Federal Government as a whole are seen to behave in all matters relating to the elections.