A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has urged the Federal Government and the relevant institutions to ensure that the forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are free and fair.

Anyaoku made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.

NAN reports that Edo governorship election is scheduled to hold on Sept. 21, while that of Ondo is scheduled to hold on. November 16.

Anyaoku, a diplomat and elder statesman, said the expectations of the people and indeed the international community were that the two governorship elections would be credible.

The elder statesman urged the government, particularly INEC, the security agencies and other relevant institutions, to meet the expectations of the people.

Anyaoku said the rest of the world was carefully watching Nigeria and the conduct would determine how the country would be viewed and treated by the international community.

He said, ?As our country is preparing for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, I have three observations to address the Nigerian government, INEC and others.

?First, Nigeria?s friends and the whole of the international community are watching, watching the behaviour of the federal government and its agencies.

The International community is watching the police, the army and the other law-enforcement agents, to see how far we respect the country?s constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections.

?From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world.

?Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community. My second observation is that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the general elections.

?I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of the forthcoming elections would depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates. This is in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results to truly represent the will of the people.?

Anyaoku further explained that the image and standing of the country within the international community will be significantly affected by how the elections are conducted.

He decried what he called the debasement of lives by incessant killings in the country, saying the problem should be tackled holistically.

The diplomat said a return to true fiscal federalism was imperative to move the country forward. (Daily Sun)

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