GEJ deserves benefit of doubt, says Abdusalami

Abdusalami Abubakar, former Nigerian head of state, has urged Nigerians to give President Goodluck Jonathan the benefit of doubt on his promise that the general election would hold on March 28 and April 11.

Responding to questions from journalists in Kano on Tuesday, Abdulsalami said during the last edition of the presidential media chat, Jonathan promised that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct the poll on the new dates.

“As our president, let us give him benefit of doubt and accept what he said regarding the election,” he said.

The elder statesman, who was in Kano to inaugurate an Informatics Institute in the Kaura area of the state, also urged INEC to ensure the conduct of free, fair and acceptable election for the sustenance of the country’s democracy.

“I do hope INEC officials will conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country’’, he said.

However, Abdulsalami declined to comment on his recent visits to Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of APC, saying the visits were private.

Accompanied by Thabo Mbeki, the immediate past president of South Africa, Abdulsalami held separate meetings with the major contenders of the presidential election.