Senate confirms Wali, Iyimoga as INEC Commissioners

 By Inalegwu Shaibu

ABUJA — THE Senate has confirmed the nominations of Dr. Mohammed Wali and Dr. Christopher Iyimoga as Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Commissioners.

Senate President, Senator David Mark, while confirming the nominations yesterday charged the new commissioners from Sokoto and Nasarawa states to join hands with their colleagues and ensure free and fair elections in 2011.

Mark said: “What this country want is free, fair and credible elections in 2011, and I am sure that they will join their colleagues to ensure that we have free and credible elections.”

 Wali, during questioning, allayed fears on the threat to credible election using the current voters’ register, saying free and fair election is obtainable with the combined efforts of every Nigerian.

He said: “INEC concern is credible election, our concern is to make every vote count and since we know that there are defects with the current register, everything must be done to ensure that we get it right. If we do not, there will be problem. Every stakeholder must be engaged in ensuring that we have free and fair election in 2011 and beyond.”

During his own confirmation, Dr. Iyimoga said with team-work, INEC would deliver in the 2011 election.
On poor security situation during election, he said every stakeholder including the candidates, the political parties, security operatives and INEC must ensure that they have their agents at the election venues.