CONCERNS for peaceful outcome of the 2015 general elections have led to two major initiatives to promote peace in the country. The first was the signing of an accord on violence-free conducts before, during and after the election by presidential candidates of 14 political parties, notably President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Peoples Congress, APC, on 14 January 2015.

POLITICS is replacing the attention our country needs to make progress. The biggest casualty is the people. Politics should focus on the collective future of Nigeria, a future that appears to be in abeyance. The consistent and flagrant abuses of individual and group rights, with a veneer of official seal, muddle issues to resolve Nigeria’s unworkable politics. These abuses have become features of our politics. They are dangerous and must be stopped.

FEW elections have had the hype of the 2015 elections, which has created strands of expectations that would be challenging to manage. They are principally on two fronts – expectations of victory and campaign promises to change the country.

THERE are more issues in the 2015 general elections than the tenure of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega. A focus on them, instead of Jega, is critical for the free and fair elections Nigerians desire.

IF Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, intended to shock Nigerians with his disclosure to the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, that some contractors presented forged tax certificates, he at best produced partial shocks.