Iwu gains recognition in US

Idowu Samuel, Abuja - 20.12.2007

CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, may have won the hearts of Nigerians in the United States during his last visit to Washington where he formally presented the official report on the 2007 general elections to the US government and Nigerians in the country.

Indications to this emerged following an official endorsement of his presentation on the 2007 elections in Nigeria by a US-based Organisation of Nigerian Lawyers in the Diaspora (ONLID) and the recommendation by the lawyers to the government of Nigeria to allow him remain in office to conduct subsequent elections in the country.

The lawyers said they had forwarded their position to the government of Nigeria on the outcome of the 2007 general elections and the need to stabilise the political system in Nigeria in the ongoing dispensation by allowing Iwu remain as INEC chairman.

The position of the US-based Nigerian lawyers contained in a press statement was ,however, a contrast to the impression held generally about the INEC boss in Nigeria following allegations that he compromised in the conduct of the April polls in the country.

According to a statement singed by the Convener/Executive Director of the ONLD based in Washington DC, United States, Mr. Aloy Ejimaker, the presentation by Iwu was lucid and explanatory, adding that “every Nigerian who listened to Iwu agreed that he tried his best to make the April elections hold in Nigeria in spite of the landmines planted around the conduct of the elections.”