UN chief assured of credible Nigeria elections

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, has assure d United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon the country will hold credible polls next month. According to a statement from the UN leader¹s office, the assurances followed the meeting between the two men at the ongoing 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The pair discussed the upcoming general elections in Nigeria in February 2015. The Secretary-General welcomed the Minister¹s statement that the government is committed to peaceful, fair and credible elections, read a statement from Ki-moon¹s office, made available to this publication. There are major doubts the country will hold credible polls on February 14 and 28 following the contentious distribution of permanent voters card by the Independent National Electoral Commission, interparty violence and the Boko Haram terror that has displaced more than a million people, including prospective voters from their bases. Ki-moon¹s office meanwhile said he expressed grave concern over the ongoing violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and its effects on the region as a whole. They discussed UN support in alleviating the suffering of civilians, protecting human rights and promoting development.² They also raised the issue of climate change. ­