Atiku ‘ll contest 2011 presidency – AC

…calls for Iwu’s removal

By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA – The Action Congress (AC) yesterday declared that the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will contest for the 2011 Presidential elections on its platform.

National youth leader of the party, Mr. Timi Frank who stated this in Abuja, said Atiku will soon unfold his agenda and indicate interest to participate in the presidential race.

Mr. Frank, however, insisted that for credible polls to be achieved in 2011, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Maurice Iwu must be sacked.

He said the party was poised to capture the South West and other states in the coming elections.

He noted that “only a new INEC, under a new leadership can guarantee a credible future polls in the country, urging the commission to lay more emphasis on electoral reforms as the bedrock for a free and fair elections in 2011.”

According to him, “I can confirm to you that former Vice President Atiku will contest the 2011 presidential elections under the party. He is fully prepared and in the race to present himself again to Nigerians and I am confident that, with a level playing field, he will win the polls. Atiku is a politician of repute and politics is his life.”

“I want to also tell you that Atiku is one of the few phenomenon that has added great value to our democracy since its restoration in 1999.”

He shaped Nigeria’s democracy in so many ways and has really contributed to the process of deepening constitutional democracy in the country”, he said.

“The chairman of INEC, Prof Maurice Iwu must go to enable us achieve a credible polls in 2011”, adding, he must be changed so that people can have confidence in the new system.

A new INEC leadership should conduct the coming elections. I just hope that he (Iwu) can prove himself in the coming Anambra elections, even though I sympathise with the Anambra people”.

“But I pray God to intervene and save the situation and help so that a true winner can emerge. Those who are lobbying for his retention should think twice in the interest of our fledging democracy”.