The Organization of Nigerian Lawyers in Diaspora (ONLID) hereby issues this Press Release in reaction to Professor Maurice Iwu’s formal presentation of the “The Official Report On The 2007 General Elections” at the National Press Club in Washington DC on December 18, 2007.
• Several members of this Organization as well as other Nigerians resident in the United States, the acting Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, members of the international media, and others were present at Professor Iwu’s presentation of the said Report at the National Press Club in Washington DC on December 18, 2007. The event began at approximately 11AM Eastern Standard Time and ended at about 1.30PM.
• The event commenced with some introductions of some of the dignitaries present and was followed by an oral presentation made by Professor Iwu. Thereafter, the written Report itself was distributed to everybody present, and after questions and comments from both members of the media and observers, the event came to a close.
• Having considered Professor Iwu’s comments, the questions and comments raised by those in attendance and the contents of the written Report of the Elections, this Organization now therefore issues the following statements:
1. The Organization agrees that the elections were conducted in an atmosphere of institutional inadequacies outside of INEC’s control and the situation was made worse by presence of sabotage perpetrated by certain influential political elements, including some of the contestants who never wanted the elections to hold.
2. This Organization noted the general agreement of those present at the presentation that Professor Iwu and INEC did a fine job in conducting the elections and seeing to the first civilian to civilian transition in the history of Nigeria. The mammoth crowd present at the event praised Professor Iwu’s courage and was happy that for once he has debunked their previous misunderstanding of how the elections were conducted.
3. This Organization agrees with the general mood of those present that the result of the elections reflected the political will of Nigerians. Parties won where credible pre-election predictions showed them to be stronger than their opponents and vice versa. Much like it is done in the United States.
4. This Organization condemns the attempt by some elements to introduce forged documents into the record of the proceedings on the Presidential election petition and the further attempt to bribe the tribunals as was recently revealed by a high judicial officer in Nigeria.
5. This Organization appeals to all antagonists to sheath their sword and refrain from any temptation or prodding from enemies of Nigeria to destabilize the country and join in President Yar’Adua’s efforts at rapprochement and repositioning of Nigeria to attain economic progress and political stability.
6. This Organization agrees with remarks made by those present that Nigeria requires some stability in the electoral process and thus should dismiss any calls for removal of Professor Iwu as Chairman of INEC because he represents the best hand at reforming the system, having seen the problems first hand. A new Chairman will again begin to learn the ropes anew.
7. This Organization agrees that Nigeria now needs to get the general elections behind her and look to the reform process led by President Yar’Adua and Professor Iwu, and make haste to put structures on the ground for the by-elections, delimitation (redistricting) of constituencies and voter education.
On the basis of the foregoing, ONLID hereby endorses the Report of the elections as presented by Professor Maurice Iwu and restates the confidence of this Organization in his tenure as the Chairman of INEC.
Signed: Aloy Ejimakor, Esquire
Convener/Executive Director
Washington DC, United States
