The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, has called on Nigerian political leaders to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible general elections.
He made the call through the Under- Secretary of United Nations Political Department, Mr Jeffrey Feltman, during a courtesy call on the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu`azu in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ban, who stressed the importance of Nigeria to the UN family, said the credible conduct of the elections would positively impact on the rating of the country.
“I came to Nigeria to join UN Special Representative to West Africa, Ibn Chambas, to talk with Nigerians over the country’s important role in United Nations and Nigeria’s forthcoming elections.
“We want to also determine the challenges Nigeria is having and along with support from its neighbours to contain the Boko Haram’’, he said.
The UN scribe also said: “I have had series of meetings with political leaders, government leaders, civil society leaders and security officials.
“I have been reassured with what I have heard about the commitments of Nigerians to transparent, free, fair, credible democratic elections and commitment to the March 28 elections”, he said.
He noted the committed of Nigerian politicians to the Abuja Peace Accord, a development he said was commendable.
The UN representative added that his visit had afforded him the opportunity to compare notes with the PDP National Chairman.
In his response, Mu’azu described his discussions with the UN representative and his delegation as fruitful.
According to him, the discussion is to find out the PDP`s preparedness and commitment to peace on the March 28 and April 11 elections.
“For me, I have given him the assurances of my party and of our government to ensure non-violent elections’’, Mu`azu said.