Former President Kufuor Optimistic Of Clean Elections In Nigeria

Former President Kufuor on Wednesday expressed optimism at the smooth-conduct of next Saturday's presidential elections in Nigeria and urged all sides to avoid violence after the declaration of results.

Speaking on arrival in Abuja to take charge of the 250-member strong Observer Mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Kufuor said the elections will once again test the democratic credentials of Nigerians and was hopeful of a successful outcome.

He said nothing should be left to chance to ensure the success of the elections since Nigeria occupied a strategic and important place in Africa's geo-politics and asked all stakeholders in the elections to play their roles well to ensure its credibility.

Former President Kufuor who was also leader of the pre-election observer mission of ECOWAS, will meet leaders of the various political parties as well the Independent Electoral Commission, heads of missions and civil society organizations, before and after the elections.

All sea and land borders of Nigeria are to be closed from the midnight of 25th March till after the elections.

The elections, the fifth of Africa's most populous nation since its return to multi-party democracy in 1999, is seen as a straight fight between incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and his People's Democratic Party (PDP) and one-time military ruler, General Mohammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress.

President Jonathan, assumed the presidency in 2010 after the death of the late President Umaru Yar'Adu. President Jonathan was then the Vice-President.

General Buhari ruled from 1984 to1985.
If there is no winner in next Saturday's election, the constitution calls for a re-run after 14 days.