BENIN PRESIDENT CALLS FOR TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS IN 2011

President Boni Yayi of Republic of Benin has called on Nigerians to ensure they elect a transparent and peaceful leader as their President come 2011.

Briefing newsmen after bilateral talks with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, Yayi noted that Benin looks up to Nigeria for guidance as a big brother, adding that Nigeria has come of age to elect credible leaders through transparent polls.

Yayi's charge came on the heels of a similar call yesterday by President John Atta Mills of Ghana that Nigerians should be allowed to choose their own leaders.

Yayi also solicited Jonathan's support and input, in his capacity as chairman of ECOWAS, towards transparent and credible polls in Benin, saying 'Benin's problems are Nigeria's problems too and vice versa'.

'President Jonathan and I discussed areas of greater cooperation with Nigeria as our big brother, issues of security of our borders, better infrastructure for our peoples, the prosperity of our citizens, and how we can choose transparent and peaceful leaders in the ECOWAS sub-region.

'I am going back to Benin satisfied and happy that President Jonathan is ready to help us,' Yayi stated. President Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin, on Thursday commended the Nigerian government for its commitment to assisting other ECOWAS countries on developmental issues.

Yayi specifically commended Jonathan for using his position as ECOWAS Chairman to pursue greater unity and co-operation among ECOWAS member States.

He said Nigeria and Benin would strengthen the joint border patrol to checkmate trans-border crimes.

He pointed out that Nigeria and Benin shared the same boundary, cultural and traditional affinity and therefore the need for a greater cooperation between both countries