Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday expressed optimism that despite the growing anxiety and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, Nigeria would come out stronger and more united as a nation.
Mark, who spoke when the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, visited him in Abuja, added that government has improved and indeed strengthened political institutions to withstand any storm no matter the circumstances.
The Senate President, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said, “Our political situation is steadily progressing. All Nigerians are now more conscious and indeed aware of elections and the processes.
“Both the government and the governed are now doing the right thing to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.
“Steadily, Nigerians have learnt how to play the game according to the rules. I have no doubt that the 2015 elections would be better than our previous elections. It would comply with international best practices.
“It is going to be exciting and the whole world would appreciate that Nigeria is on the right track democratically.”
He, however, appealed to the international election observers to report facts about the exercise without sentiment or narrow perspective, saying, “election observers should be able to go round in order to get the true position rather than a situation where reports would be based on just a visit to one or two polling units.”
Mark pleaded with the EU to assist Nigeria tackle the unabating security challenges, pointing out that terrorism is no longer an internal affairs of a nation, but already assuming international dimension.
