Jonathan orders police to prosecute election offenders

By Elizabeth Archibong

February 10, 2010 05:26AM

Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, has directed the Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately commence the prosecution of all those who committed electoral offences during last week’s gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

He was speaking when he received the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Johnnie Carson, in the State House, Abuja.

Mr. Jonathan came out of this meeting as Acting President of Nigeria as the Senate announced its resolution while this meeting was on. Some federal ministers also showed up at the villa, though one cannot tell if it was to congratulate Mr. Jonathan or in preparation of FEC.

“We believe that for us to move forward, we must institutionalise good governance, and the first rung in the ladder towards this is credible elections,” Mr Jonathan said. “We are determined to have free and fair general elections in 2011, under the supervision of local and international observers. We will ensure that the votes of our citizen’s count in 2011.” At the meeting, which lasted for about an hour with the US ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders in attendance, Mr. Jonathan said the governorship election in Anambra State and the state assembly poll in Edo State were recent instances to show the world the trend the 2011 polls will take.

The Acting President also said government will pursue ongoing electoral reforms to a logical conclusion and ensure speedy passage of electoral bills before the National Assembly, adding that the pace is synonymous with the democratic process.

Alien to our culture

He urged the U.S government to reconsider its stand and de-list Nigeria from its watch list of “countries of interest” in the international war against terrorism. He said Nigeria has even installed full body scanners at its airports.

“Some of these things are alien to our culture, but we have to compromise for the safety of the human race,” he said.

Mr. Carson, who said Nigeria remains a friend and a partner of America, said the decision to list Nigeria was driven by an overall concern on international terrorism.

He later told journalists that both the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton and President Barack Obama wanted him “to express very clearly to the Vice President that we extend our sympathies on the continued illness of the President and our best wishes for his speedy recovery and best wishes to his family.

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Reader Comments (13)

Posted by CountryMan on Feb 10 2010

does it need an acting president to order the police to perform their duties...

Posted by Chief (Engr) Lance on Feb 10 2010

The Hand writing is very CLEAR that we shall notice a very fast improvement in our GOVERNANCE. CONGRATULATIONS TO A NEW DAWN NIGERIANS.

Posted by ENILOWO on Feb 10 2010

This is the beginning of a new dawn.

Posted by Okiyemute Konyehi on Feb 10 2010

Turning and turning in the Nigerian space the nest of killers is beginning to lose bearing and iniquity is nearing the dock.

Posted by Kemi Oya on Feb 10 2010

Oga Goodluck, I beg talk is cheap. Turn evrything around before Mr. Andoaka and his people wake up and start to question the legality of your position. The first thing is to declare Mr. Andoaka himself illegal!

Posted by Nwoke Oma on Feb 10 2010

It's either the title of this article is wrong or the order from Jonathan is but anyways the police the last time I checked do not have any right to "prosecute" anybody.Their job i believe the world over is to investigate and arrest while prosecution belongs to some others. If the president ordered this then it means he supports the evil committed by the Nigerian police every other day.

Posted by chinedu on Feb 10 2010

acting president jonathan carry go! please assert yourself and make a difference while you hold sway. you are God sent.

Posted by oba on Feb 10 2010

This is a rubber stamp from US! The first country to recognize President Goodluck Jonathan!

Posted by bukky banjo on Feb 10 2010

Dr Goodluck Congratulations!!!,you are a Man that has a date with destiny...How ever,your first assignment would be to restructure your cabinet,clearly alot of the present bunch are dummies,and a disgrace to Nigeria and humanity at large

Posted by Comrade sabastine on Feb 10 2010

congratulation to mr jonathan,but he shoult do what people want him to do.

Posted by Ngozi on Feb 10 2010

Congratulations my president.Your name follows you.that is the Lords doing and it is marvelous to our heart.But,know it that we, the poor masses are looking forward to something positive,we have a voice that cannot be heard,you are our voice, please no other time but now,yes speak for us.

Posted by ALFONSO AKANSO on Feb 10 2010

It is now or never!I mean correcting so many things about the economy,polity, security and the judiciary that has gone to the way of the dogs,if not all because I know the time is short.Just like your name implies you have been highly favored so far so good, but will all the things you have pronounced stand the test of time wont it follow the way of your predecessors?Anyways we are watching keenly.

Posted by Ngozi on Feb 11 2010