President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday assured the international community that the 2015 elections would be peaceful, free and fair.
Jonathan gave the assurance when he hosted the members of the Diplomatic Community to a New Year cocktail at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He spoke against the background of possible apprehension owing to the recent heightened political development in the country.
“I know that one thing that must be agitating the minds of diplomats that are here and the heads of your government is the next general elections in this country.
“The general elections will take place early next year, but the processes that will lead to the elections will commence this year.
“Parties will select their candidate through primaries this year, campaigns will commence this year, so this year will be full of activities and I know that there is some apprehension with the elections.
“I do not know the kind of correspondences that you have been dispatching to your own countries about that, but let me reassure you that the election next year will even be better than in 2011.
“Let me reassure you that the general elections that will come up next year will be better than the elections you witnessed in 2011,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted President Jonathan as saying at the forum.
Jonathan said that as the nation progressed into the year, some of the tensions would come down.
According to him, at the beginning of the electoral processes in most countries, especially developing nations, tensions use to be quite high even in developed countries.
“That is what we are witnessing now, but all these will come down.
“We will make sure that we maintain peace and security and that elections are conducted in the manner that will be seen as free and fair by everybody.’’
The president seized the opportunity to solicit the support of the international community in the conduct of the forthcoming elections. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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