ECOWAS Chairman, President John Mahama has served notice that despite the increasing attacks by Boko Haram, the February 14 presidential election in Nigeria will come off as scheduled.
Islamist militant group, Boko Haram has intensified their attacks on Nigerian citizens resulting in the death of thousands and the abduction of hundreds.
Many have urged the Nigerian authorities to call off the elections but President Mahama is of the view that doing so would mean victory for Boko Haram. �Nigeria cannot delay those elections because of Boko Haram. It would have given Boko Haram a victory they don�t deserve,� he said.
Addressing a news conference in Accra over the weekend, President Mahama said ECOWAS Heads of State have put measures in place to ensure that the election comes off uninterrupted.
He mentioned that ECOWAS is constantly in touch with the Nigerian authorities and the Electoral Commission to ensure that the elections are successful.
The ECOWAS Chair stressed that �the elections must go forward and all efforts are being done to ensure the elections take place. The elections will take place and as many Nigerians as possible will have the opportunity to vote.�
He disclosed that various international monitoring groups will take part by observing the Nigerian elections.
Also, ECOWAS, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) are keenly �following the issues and are in touch with both the authorities and the Electoral Commission to make sure the elections are held on schedule and are free and fair.�
Former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan has called for a peaceful elections in Nigeria.
Kofi Annan made the call when he, the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, former President General Muhammadu Buhari and nine other presidential candidates adopted an inter-party agreement on non-violence and the acceptance of the results of the upcoming elections on 14 and 28 February.
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