2019 ELECTIONS: Ex-Liberian president, Johnson-Sirleaf optimistic of successful polls

The head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will successfully go through its forthcoming general elections.

Sirleaf, who is the former president of Liberia, stated this while briefing ECOWAS observers at the Commission Headquarters in Abuja.

She stated that, although the elections were coming on the heels of nagging security challenges and tensed political environment, the exercise “not only constitutes an impetus in consolidating democracy in the most populous nation in Africa, but the outcome will also, to a large extent, impact on the socio-economic, political and security order of the region, given Nigeria’s strategic position and influence.”

The ECOWAS chief Observer, however, noted that the onus to hold peaceful, free and fair elections rested with the Nigerian people themselves.

She expressed the hope that all political parties will conduct themselves in a manner that contributes to a peaceful, free, fair, credible and transparent election, as has been done previously in the country.