The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) is being led by former president John Dramani Mahama in Nigeria as the nation elects a new president on Saturday, February 25.
In a press conference on the eve of the elections in the federal capital Abuja, Mr. Mahama stated that the previous West African presidents are in the nation to guarantee a peaceful conclusion to the elections.
He hinted that they had been invited by the federal government to observe the voting, and that so far they have been impressed by how committed all 18 candidates have been to ensuring peaceful elections.
“This year’s election is attracting this level of interest because Nigeria’s success and progress in this regard will go a long way in stabilizing democracy, promoting good governance and maintaining peace in the sub-region,” the former Ghanaian President told journalists on Friday, February 24.
“We are pleased with the level of preparedness by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security forces policing the elections and other stakeholders involved in the elections, towards conducting a free and fair exercise.”
He said that the Forum sent a three-person delegation to the nation in December to carry out a pre-election mediation mission.
Former Vice President of the Gambia Fatoumata Tambajang, Former President of the ECOWAS Commission Ernest Vai Koroma, Former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, and Chairman of the UNOWAS Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas made up the delegation.
The delegation spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC Chair Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Security Adviser, presidential contenders, political party leaders, leaders of civil society, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, development partners, and other stakeholders throughout the mission.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state of Nigeria, and other past leaders were all met with, Mr. Mahama further revealed.
“We are pleased that Gen. Abubakar is a member of our the Elders of Forum, just as we also have former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as our members.
“We will also visit other key stakeholders just to encourage them in the job they are doing to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.”
He reassured everyone that Forum participants would watch election day procedures and results collation processes at a few voting places in Abuja, while others would stay on Sunday “to engage key players, if necessary, towards securing peaceful outcomes.”
“This means that some of our members will remain in the country until the election procedures are peacefully concluded.”
