Former President Mahama is leading a delegation of West African Elders to observe Nigeria's elections.
Former President John Dramani Mahama is leading the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) on a mediation mission in Nigeria as the country votes for a new president.
With a voter population of approximately 90 million, Mr Mahama and his team, based in Abuja, would ensure that all stakeholders in the election followed the rules.
During a press conference in Abuja, he told reporters that former West African leaders are in the country to ensure that the elections are peaceful.
Forum of West African Elders
According to him, the federal government invited them to observe the polls, and they were impressed by the commitment of all 18 candidates to ensure a peaceful election.
He stated that the 2023 election is attracting a lot of attention because Nigeria's success and progress in that regard will go a long way toward stabilizing democracy, promoting good governance, and maintaining peace in the sub-region.
"We are pleased with the level of preparedness demonstrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security forces policing the elections, and other stakeholders involved in the elections to conduct a free and fair exercise," he said at a press conference.
In December of last year, the West African Elders Forum sent a three-person delegation to Nigeria to conduct a pre-election mediation mission.
The delegation included Ernest Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, Fatoumata Tambajang, former Vice President of Gambia, and former President of the ECOWAS Commission and former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas.
Mahama is the leader.
The delegation met with President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the National Security Adviser, presidential candidates, political parties, civil society leaders, ECOWAS Commission President, development partners, and other stakeholders, among others.
Former President Mahama stated that meetings with a former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and other former leaders were held to ensure peaceful elections.
"We are delighted that Gen. Abubakar is a member of our Elders of Forum, as are former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan," he said.
He stated that members of the forum would also visit other key stakeholders to encourage them in their efforts to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The election in Nigeria is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, 2023.
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