Jonathan is the Father of Post-Election Peace In Nigeria

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A former United States envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders, has described President Goodluck Jonathan as the architect of the post-election peace that the country has been enjoying since the conduct of the March 28 general elections.

Sanders, who acted as an observer during the elections, expressed her opinion in her latest article a copy of which was obtained by Leadership on April 8, 2015.

According to her, the president’s concession of defeat was a result of the encouragement he got from ex-Nigerian presidents, religious leaders, and captains of industry. She further stressed that the concession was one of the several great-hearted things rarely seen in African politics.

The United States former envoy noted that the post-election atmosphere could have looked much different if the president had not done democratic things.

“His actions should be remembered; they were not small acts,” she stated.

Speaking about Professor Attahiru Jega, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), she stated that he deserves high praise for introducing a range of anti-fraud measures and tactics, which made voting as rig-proof as possible. However, she added that INEC officials still need more training and logistics, noting that on-time delivery of materials were real challenges during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

On Buhari’s presidency, Sanders said addressing insecurity, corruption, energy needs and poverty were the governance pillars for his government.

“Buhari has a good circle of immediate advisers around him, many whom I know, and has refashioned himself into today’s democrat. One thing to watch is the length of the honeymoon as expectations are high. This will be up to voters, but at the onset successfully tackling Boko Haram (BH), and playing better with neighbors Niger, Chad, and Cameroon on the BH issue, will help solidify the hope coming out of elections,” she said.

On the upcoming gubernatorial elections, Sanders said that the polls would be another opportunity to consolidate democracy.

A few days ago the United States president, Barack Obama, awarded the INEC boss with a “Certificate of Commendation” for his outstanding and faultless performance during the elections.

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