The Acting President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has described electoral fraud as the worst form of corruption, saying Nigerians must do everything to bring it to an end.

Dr. Jonathan said this yesterday at the mass rally in support of electoral reforms anchored on the principle of one-man-one-vote at the Ogbe stadium, Benin-City Edo State .

On his part, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State noted that Nigerians have come to appreciate that the future of the country lies in deepening and defending democracy.

The Acting President who was represented by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Timipre Sylva noted that the quickest route towards strengthening the unity of this country lies not in the undemocratic balancing of sectional agenda but in the liberation of Nigerians through transparent, free and fair elections.

He noted that it is in realisation of the central role of free and fair election that the present administration elevated electoral reforms to the top of the agenda.

The Acting president posited that for the country to have credible elections, Nigerians must insist and cultivate the right attitude and be willing to play by the rules, stressing that electoral reforms will restore the integrity of the electoral process.

He commended the governor and the people of Edo State for organising the rally describing it as an important contribution in the ongoing debate for credible elections in the country.

Governor Oshiomhole who insisted that the rally is non-partisan noted that in a democracy the people are the king, saying that no one man should see himself as the master, just as he said that the people lead by choosing in full freedom those they want to delegate power to.”

Oshiomhole noted that democracy is not in the hands of the few but in the hands of the people.

His words “This campaign is important so that Nigerians, particularly the younger ones, may know, as we do, as we do not want our future leaders to go through what we are going through today. We want you to grow up in an environment in which you are recognised for whom you are, where you can think for yourself and the society”.

He argued that the President and Commander-in-Chief is central to the realisation of the principle of one man one vote, stressing that it is the President who appoints the Inspector-General of Police and key officials of the electoral body.

The Governor appreciated Acting President Jonathan for the free and fair elections in Anambra State and Etsako Central Local Government Area in in Edo State .


Other speakers on the occasion were Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State, Barrister Festus Keyamo, Mrs Joe Okei-Odumakin, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President, Comrade Peter Esele, TUC President, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former Governor of old Kaduna State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former of Edo State, Professor Pat Utomi, Chief Emeka Umeh, representing Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Dr. Ukachukwu Awuzie, ASUU President, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Rev. Father Matthew Hassan-Kukah, among others.

Among the dignitaries present at the rally were former military president, General Ibrahim Babaginda, Chief Tom Ikimi, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Mr Odia Ofeimum, Mr Charles Oputa, alias Charly Boy, Mr Lanre Arogundade, former NANS President, representatives of the Action Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and others.


Peter Okhiria,
CPS to Edo State Governor,
08023145286, 07030508268.