Jonathan on CNN with Amanpour

On the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he could be faulted on his statement that Anambra 2010 governorship election was a success and, therefore, a model.  The fact that Anambra has about two million eligible voters, out of which only about three-hundred thousand were allowed to cast their votes was a serious deficiency. Furthermore, contributing to the peaceful exercise was the intimidating presence of security agents who were drafted from other parts of the country for the ‘lone’ election. As a result, no window was provided for the disenfranchised registered voters to vent their anger for fear of their lives. This situation will not exist for 2011 elections because security agents would be in short supply as every part of the country would be voting at the same time. Now that Iwu has been asked to go on retirement leave, my suggestion to the President is that someone possibly from the South-West, like Professor Akinyemi or Professor Adedeji or any presently positioned person (from the south-west within the INEC) should be asked to head the place; reasoning that no one from that region would be favoured to contest the 2011 Presidency, Obasanjo having consumed their turn.

Regarding Jonathan’s claimed inability to talk with or see Yar’adua since the latter left the shores of the country in November 2009 (and till date) suffices to say that the President told lies to Nigerians when he claimed that Yar’adua spoke with him, David Mark and Dimeji Bankole on a weekend earlier in 2010.  

Now that Yar’adua has died, Jonathan is president. Let him do everything in his capacity to improve the country. There is no more room for excuses.

Alhaji Garba Salem, 298 Apapa Road, Ijora, Lagos