2011: SARAKI CALLS FOR CREDIBLE POLLS

•Bukola
Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has called on Nigeria to learn from Ivory Coast's recent experience,by conducting a credible, free and fair elections that would be acceptable to all.

Dr Saraki gave the advice in Ilorin this week while receiving the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 8 which comprises Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti, Mr Donald Iroham, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.

He described the crisis that engulfed Ivory Coast after the country's general election as unfortunate, saying that Nigeria should guide against such occurrence during next year's election.

He enjoined the police to ensure that electoral offenders no longer go unpunished, as that would serve as a bitter lesson to others who might have the same tendency of disrupting election.

The governor appealed to the law enforcement agents to ensure that people were no longer prevented from voting at polling booths, which he said had marred previous elections.

While congratulating the new AIG on his recent elevation, the governor expressed confidence in his ability to perform and urged him to bring his past experience to bear on his new assignment.

Dr Saraki assured the AIG of his cooperation and readiness to support the police and work closely with the zone to ensure its success.

Earlier, Iroham had thanked the governor for his assistance to the police and informed him that series of lectures and seminars had been organized by the Force to get its officers and men ready for a successful 2011 polls.

Iroham, who had previously served the state Police Command as its commissioner, told the governor that he was in the state in continuation of his tour of states under zone 8.

He commended Dr Saraki for being a friend of the police who was always ready to assist the force and urged him to use his position as chairman of the Governors' Forum to ensure that the country achieved credibility in its general elections next year.