Jonathan Condemns Irregularities in Oguta

President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday condemned the irregularities which characterised the rerun election to the Imo State House of Assembly in Oguta last Saturday, saying the conduct of certain persons and groups involved in the election totally negated the spirit of one-man, one-vote, which his administration was trying to foster.

Speaking when he received in audience a delegation of Nigerian Senators’ Forum, President Jonathan urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to take immediate steps to bring all those who played roles in the violence and electoral irregularities that marred the election to justice.

The President, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said it had become apparent that in order to successfully achieve his administration’s objective of entrenching a  culture of consistent  free, fair and credible elections in the country, the culture must be embraced by all stakeholders.

“Those who made it impossible for the rerun election in Oguta to be conclusive must be brought to book. We must make it clear that impunity in the perpetration of violence and irregularities during elections will no longer be tolerated. Sanctions, promptly imposed on guilty persons, will deter others from engaging in such acts in future,” he declared.

Welcoming the Forum’s pledge of support for his administration, President Jonathan said he was glad that his advocacy for one- man, one-vote was winning more adherents across the country.

The President said the federal government would work with other like-minded Nigerians alongside the forum, which has a membership of about 500 serving and former senators, to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and deliver more dividends of democracy to ordinary Nigerians.

“There must be even greater harmony between the executive and legislative arms of government. We must work together to ensure that all Nigerians benefit more from our political activities,” he told the delegation, which was led by Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq Gwadabe.
Gwadabe had earlier told President Jonathan that the Forum, which was established in 2003, was committed to supporting his efforts to strengthen institutions of democracy in Nigeria.

She praised the President’s commitment to maintaining cordial and harmonious relations with the National Assembly as well as his respect for the rule of law.

The delegation included Senators Abubakar Girei, Iyabo Anisulowo, Alex Kadiri, John Danboyi, Victor Oyofo, Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Haruna Abdulazeez and Sunday Fajimi, Sylvannus Ngele, Bala Adamu, Zeog H. Aziz and Omololu Meroyi.