Nigeria: Prez Obama Gives Electoral Commissioner Certificate of Commendation

President Barack Obama of the United State has presented a Certificate of Commendation to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Attahiru Jega, over the peaceful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections which held on March 28th.


The ‘Certificate of Commendation’ was presented to Jega on behalf of the US government by US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle. Entwistle said Jega’s performance with the election was ‘outstanding and worthy of emulation.’

But yesterday, Federal Commissioner for Information and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark condemned the award, saying it was too hasty since the Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections haven’t even held. He told the US to leave Nigeria alone…

“I was surprised that Barack Obama gave Professor Attahiru Jega an award when the elections are still on. Obama should be tactful in handling the affairs of Africa. US should leave us alone, Nigeria is an Independent country. They tried it Egypt, they should not try anything in Nigeria.”