We Can't Afford To Fail - Atiku

SAN FRANCISCO, April 07, (THEWILL) - As Nigerians go to the poll this Saturday to elect National Assembly members after a previous fiasco, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to plug all the loopholes that led to the costly failure of last week’s election.

In a statement issued today by his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said considering the enthusiasm that greeted Jega’s appointment as INEC Chairman, the electoral body carries a heavy burden of meeting the expectations of Nigerians and the international community.

Atiku said that goodwill is a major factor for the success of any organization and that the repeat outcome of the National Assembly election this Saturday would determine whether such goodwill remains or evaporates.

The former Vice President noted that INEC must go the extra mile to ensure that this repeat election is hitch-free.

“The outcome of this election (National Assembly) would go a long way in determining the successes of the next stages and the attitude of Nigerians to the ability of INEC to conduct free and fair election,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President also urged eligible Nigerians not to allow last week’s temporary set-back to dampen their enthusiasm to come out once again to vote leaders of their choice.

He noted that democracy affords the people the opportunity for peaceful change and therefore advised Nigerians not to miss this opportunity.