Polls: UK urges parties to play by the rules

Details: Category: April 2011 Polls; Published on Friday, 01 April 2011 09:24; Written by Admin; Hits: 2075

The United Kingdom Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, has said that the signing of a code of conduct for the election campaign demonstrates good intentions, and we trust that the actions of political parties will match their words.

In a statement issued by the British High Commission in Abuja yesterday, the minister said Nigeria’s elections will have huge significance for Africa, the region and the world.

He said Nigeria can set an example of transparency, credibility and dignified, peaceful democracy as the international community is ready to welcome leadership from Africa’s most populous nation.

According to him, “Recent weeks have seen continuing political violence. We need Nigeria’s leaders to demonstrate political will and draw a line under the practices of manipulation, violence and hate-speech that have marred previous election campaigns.”

Bellingham called on politicians, elders, traditional and religious figures, to embrace this chance to place Nigeria as the champion of African democracy.