Nigeria: Commonwealth Pledges to Assist Nigeria in 2015 Polls

AS Nigerians await the 2015 elections, Secretary General of Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, has pledged that Commonwealth family will help Nigeria strengthen the existing machinery already put on ground for credible elections next year. Sharma made the pledge Wednesday in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali.

"Each organisation brings its own strength and our strength is more in the direction of social harmony, resolving grievances within the society, particularly as recommended by our own report in the area of women, youth, media and education. The important aspect of our engagement is that it is in harmony with the policy of our member-states; that is why I am here to see where we can strengthen the already existing mechanism", he said. The secretary general also commended the Nigerian government and the electoral body for a job well done in the past general elections where volunteers were employed to strengthen the workforce.

"This makes a clear point that the people are in ownership of the whole exercise", he said.
Responding, Wali appreciated the Secretary General for the visit, expressing optimism that their visit would aid Nigeria overcome its challenges. He said: "First of all, let me welcome the honourable guest to Tafawa Balewa House once again. Earlier, we had a session with the Secretary General in my office where we discussed matters of interest to Nigeria and the Commonwealth organisation.



Source: The Guardian