South African President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday that the recent Nigerian presidential elections were by and large “well conducted” says.
In his weekly letter on the ANC website, the president said: “Nigeria has just completed a series of elections, culminating in the re-election of President Olusegun Obasanjo into his second and last term. Naturally, we have already sent our congratulations to him. At the beginning of May, Nigeria will conduct its local government elections.”
“We, together with many people across our continent and elsewhere in the world, awaited the elections in Nigeria with great expectation. All of us hoped that these elections would be held in an atmosphere that would ensure that they are free and fair.”
“It is clear that there were instances of irregularities in some parts of the country. However, it also seems clear that by and large the elections were well conducted.”
President Mbeki said there were “established judicial mechanisms” in the country to hear any complaints arising out of the elections.
“We trust that those who may have a grievance will resort to these mechanisms, consistent with their respect for the country’s constitution and the rule of law.”
Mbeki noted that Nigeria was the biggest country on the African continent in terms of the size of the population.
“It is an important economic player, especially in the area of oil and gas.”
“Necessarily, it plays and has to play a vital role in the processes in which we are all engaged for the renewal of our continent. To do this requires, among other things, that the country should be stable and therefore not consumed by internal conflicts.” – I-Net Bridge