A former Speaker, House of Representative, Alhaji Aminu Masari, on Wednesday urged INEC in the FCT to conduct free and fair elections that would satisfy the yearning and aspirations of the people.
Masari, a CPC chieftain, made the call during a visit to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of FCT INEC, Mr Godwin Kwanga, in Abuja.
“We are here to demand for transparency, accountability and fairness in the conduct of the forthcoming FCT area councils’ elections coming up on March 16,'' he said.
According to him, the forthcoming FCT area councils elections will be a litmus test for the conduct of the 2015 general elections by INEC.
He said that Abuja was a centre for unity; therefore, the commission must ensure that the outcome of the elections reflects the true vote of the people.
Masari said that the rational surrounding the creation of the area councils was to bring government nearest to the people.
According to him, the area councils could be regarded as the foundation of democracy in Nigeria.
Responding, Kwanga emphasised the commitment of the commission to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in the territory on March 16.
Kwanga said that as part of the efforts to ensure smooth elections, the commission held meeting with different political stakeholders in the territory to clarify issues concerning the conduct of the poll.
“We will ensure that there is no secrets in the conduct of the elections and transparency will be our driving force throughout the exercise.
“The commission will do its best to fulfil your demand if it is within the orbit of the law or in line with the provision of the electoral Act 2010,'' Kwanga said.
Other members of the CPC chieftains present at the meeting were the former FCT Minister, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai and Sen. Naziru Gamawa.