ABUJA (SundiataPost) – Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Kofi Annan has revealed the importance of next month’s general elections in Nigeria to the region and the entire continent. He said if Nigeria gets the outcome of the elections right, it will affect other African countries.
Mr. Annan who addressed a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday as part of his visit to the country ahead of the February general elections, said from facts presented to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was ready to conduct credible elections.
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He equally urged Nigerians to support INEC in conducting free, fair and credible elections that will usher in the desired change in the country.
“Conduct of elections is not the responsibility of INEC alone. Security agencies have their roles to play. They must play a neutral role and not be partisan. Citizens too have roles to play. What happens in Nigeria has great impact in the region and in the world. Nigeria can make Africa proud and I know it will,” Annan affirmed.
The former UN scribe said the recent under-reported massacre in Baga is ungodly and brutal. He said Nigerians must come together and form a front against Boko Haram terrorist group.
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Mr. Annan urged Nigerian leaders to stop looking up to other world leaders, insisting that every country has its own challenge to confront. He said Nigeria must look inwards and find a way to crush terrorism.
He said: “Terrorism is a global issue. It is a concern to all of us. We should stand as one and resist Boko Haram. We are all responsible for stopping them. Baga massacre was brutal and ungodly.
“I have been receiving conflicting figures. Some said 2,000 people died, while others are saying they are in their hundreds. But it was a massacre. Other countries er expect to speak out against Boko Haram have their own challenges.
