ALL AFRICA

Abuja — The number of individuals and organizations clamouring for the re-appointment of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Maurice Iwu grew over the weekend with the Conference of South East Speakers demanding that the electoral boss be given another chance at the expiration of his first tenure later this June.

In a statement signed by the Speakers of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Nwankwoagu, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Anayo Anabe and Speaker of the Enugu House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, the lawmakers who were on a solidarity visit to Prof. Iwu said they have utmost confidence in him to deliver.

The conference argued that it would be rather naïve and pedestrian to blame only one man for all the perceived electoral problems recorded in Nigeria saying: "If we must get to the Promised Land, all stakeholders must sincerely work hard to eliminate electoral malpractices at all levels.

"Rather than identifying our electoral woes as a collective failure of the Nigerian polity, the electorate and even the security agencies, Prof. Iwu was being singled out and 'slaughtered' on the alter of minority rascality".

Responding, Prof. Iwu said he was very happy that not minding that he is serving the whole of Nigeria, people from his own base are treasuring his modest efforts in nurturing and consolidating democracy in the country.

He revealed that INEC under his apprenticeship has introduced reforms such as the use of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in place of the ad-hoc staff for conducting elections.

"Also we have introduced the declaration of results of elections at the polling centres, adequate training of the staff, and the use of electronic voters' register which made difficult for unscrupulous Nigerians to perpetrate electoral fraud," he said.

The INEC boss also said he was amazed by the preponderant of Nigerians canvassing for the re-appointment of the chairman of the electoral body saying the debate in itself was a welcome development.