By Henry UMORU, Abuja
THE National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said yesterday that as a party, it was not in any way afraid of Professor Attahiru Jega as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The PDP while denying statements credited to President Goodluck Jonathan that the party nursed   fears over his appointment, the party stressed that the President who is attending the G8 Summit in Canada was quoted out of context by some of the media houses.

In a statement signed in Abuja Yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, the party said, “We wish to state categorically that President Goodluck Jonathan was quoted completely out of context during his interaction with the Nigerian Community in Canada.

According to Alkali, contrary to the reports, the Peoples Democratic Party welcomes the nomination and confirmation of Professor. Jega in view of “his unblemished reputation as a patriotic Nigerian, distinguished scholar and an accomplished administrator.

“It is in recognition of all these that the PDP was among the first to congratulate him when his nomination was announced”.

The PDP Spokesperson who noted that Jega’s appointment was in tandem with the administration’s determination to give Nigerians credible and acceptable election in 2011, said, “We wish to re-iterate that Prof. Jega’s choice is further proof of President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

“The Party is excited with the new team at INEC and will give every necessary support to ensure that they succeed in giving Nigerians an electoral system that is durable and credible”.