PRESS RELEASE: 100 Concerned Nigerians Abroad Say that Nigeria's April Polls Were an "Electoral Fraud - A Serious Crime Against the Nation"
Mobolaji ALUKO
EMBARGOED UNTIL NOON May 16, 2007
PRESS RELEASE FROM A GROUP OF 100 CONCERNED NIGERIANS ABROAD
May 16, 2007
"NIGERIA : ELECTORAL FRAUD – A SERIOUS CRIME AGAINST THE NATION"
We, the undersigned Nigerians, currently resident in North America (USA/Canada), and Europe, have followed with utmost consternation the events leading to and characterizing the elections of April14, 2007 and April 21, 2007.
We are concerned by the extensively documented lack of proper preparation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its planning and execution of the various stages of the electoral process, as demanded by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the National Electoral Act of 2006. We are particularly worried by INEC's inability to preserve its integrity as an impartial umpire and its failure to respect the rulings of the courts to remedy some of the consequences of its partisan impositions on the electoral process.
From the accounts of unbiased observers, domestic and international, it is clear that the elections were not properly carried out. The "do-or-die" premise interjected into the election campaign and carried over to the elections proper vitiated the entire atmosphere. In consequence, innocent citizens with no more interest than the legitimate casting of their votes had unwarrantable violence inflicted upon them. Many of them lost their lives. INEC's inept handling of the process showed in its failure to deliver electoral materials to polling stations, leading to the disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerians who were eager to cast their votes.
In the light of these very serious flaws in these elections, we urge the National Assembly, as presently constituted, and the National Judiciary, as represented in the Electoral Tribunals, to work to set the stage for fresh elections to be conducted, under new leadership at INEC, in all places where elections did not hold or were not properly conducted. We urge that civil society (including the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Labor Congress) and principled political leadership in Nigeria insist on these demands. This is the least we can reasonably hope for.
We pray the Nigerian voting public not to be disillusioned, but to continue, as they have always done, to demonstrate their ardent desire for a workable constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
It may not yet be "uhuru", but we continue to have faith in the Nigerian people and in their capacity to choose their true leaders who will serve their best interests and the best interests of the Nigerian State. They are entitled to leaders with unquestioned legitimacy chosen through a transparent electoral process.
Professor Emmanuel Obiechina, USA
Professor Mobolaji E. Aluko, USA
Anthony Isama, USA
Callistus Nwadike, Esq, USA
Dr. Ndubuisi Achufusi, USA
Professor Augustine Duru, USA
Dr. John C. Chuke, USA
Professor Isidore Okpewho, USA
Ms. Folake Lebi, USA
Professor Toyin Falola , USA
Engineer Rotimi Ogunsuyi, USA
Habu Dauda Fika, USA
Barrister Echezona I. Chidume, Rep of Ireland
Rev. Fr. Attah Anthony Agbali, USA
Muhammed Kabiru Hassan, USA
Mr. Uchenna Osigwe, Canada
Professor Abba B. Gumel, Canada
Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba, USA
Clement Asuoha, M.S., USA
Professor Ebere Onwudiwe, USA
Dr. Qansy Salako, USA
Oloye Lekan Awojoodu, USA
Kayode Ogundamisi, UK
Dr. Asonzeh Ukah, Germany
Bayo Babajide , Austria
Dr. J.O.S. Okeke, USA
Dr. Iruka N. Okeke, USA
Edna Chinyere Udobong, Esquire, USA
Surajudeen Seriki, USA
Olaposi Olatubosun, UK
Dr.Obuora Ezeji-Okoye, Canada
Vitalis Chi. Nwaneri, USA
Dr. Samuel Ogunbo, USA
Professor Edward Oparaoji, USA
Engineer Shehu Kaura, USA
Dr. Tola Oresusi, USA
Paul Oranika, USA
Dr. Nowamagbe A. Omoigui, USA
Professor Adeniran Adeboye, USA
'Professor 'Kale Oyedeji , USA
Professor Babs Olusegun Onabanjo
Segun Ajibulu, USA
Temitope Ajibulu, USA
Mr. Wilfred P. C. Inko-Tariah, USA
Dr. Apollos O. Nwauwa, USA
Prince Omolade Binuyo ,USA
Dr. Anthony Oladapo, USA
Uzoma Onyemaechi, USA
Adebanji Dada, Esq., USA
Dr. Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome, USA
Joe Ezeokeke, USA
Amos Obiefuna, USA
Emmanuel Anozie, Canada
Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani, Canada
Dr. Chinwe Iloabachie, Canada
Dr. Julius Uzoaba,Canada
Miedide R Doukpolagha, USA
Dr. Moses Ochonu, USA.
Professor dele jegede, USA
Mrs. Omololu Ogbeni, USA
Dr. Emmanuel Abiodun Dada, USA
Dr. Isa Odidi, Canada
Dr. Bitrus Paul Gwamna, USA
Mr Tunde Grillo, UK
Engineer George Omo Iduhon, Italy
Okwudili Okeke, USA
Melvin I. Eze, USA
Omolade Adunbi, USA
Dr. Tunde Akindele, USA
Jason Nwankwo, USA
Tola Adenle , USA
Dr. Depo Adenle , USA
Dr. Gboyega Adesokan , USA
Professor Niyi Osundare , USA
Olumide Ogunleye, USA
Biodun Ogunmola , USA
Gboyega Adedeji , UK
Jide Roluga , UK
Ayo Adenle-Ogunmola, USA
Adejoke Adedeji , UK
Denrele Roluga , UK
Abake Adenle , UK
Dr. Ayodele Owoade UK
Adeolu Adebari, USA
Ayo Giwa, UK
Nwamaka Enwonwu-Chuke,JD, USA
Clara Isama, USA
Obidike Ajuluchukwu, USA
Hon. Kolawole Silva-Ope, USA
Pastor Wale Adewumi, USA
Wilfred O. Nwaro, USA
Professor Olayinka Agbetuyi, USA
Professor Olayiwola Abegunrin, USA
Professor Justin Akujieze, USA
David C. Obi, USA
Professor Chike I.D. Anamdi, USA