NY Times editorial ‘motivated by bias, ignorance’

Ade Adefuye, Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, has faulted the New York Times editorial alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan influenced the postponement of the general election.

In an editorial titled ‘Nigeria Miserable Choices’, the revered publication expressed its belief that the president influenced the postponement in order to frustrate Muhammadu Buhari, his main rival in the election.

But Adefuye expressed disappointment, saying that the polls shift was the sole decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that the government had never interfered with the electoral body.

“I was shocked and disappointed to read your editorial of February 16 titled ‘Nigeria Miserable Choices’ because it distorted and omitted important facts,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The election management body has always been allowed a freehand in conduct of its activities, including the time table for the elections.

“In arriving at the decision to postpone the elections, INEC chief, Prof. Jega, said ‘no one pressurised INEC to take the decision.’”

He noted that in arriving at the decision, the commission took into consideration the prevailing situation in the country in the build-up to February 14, the date earlier scheduled for the presidential election.

Adefuye said the issues involved included distribution of the permanent voter cards, card readers and security, adding that the issues were acknowledged in a research conducted by the US-based National Democratic Institute and the International Republic Institute after a four-week stay in Nigeria.

“The research was sponsored by the US State Department and has been published; it is surprising that The New York Times is not aware or chose to ignore this report,” he said.

Adefuye maintained that Boko Haram constitutes a serious threat to the country and that government had, in the recent past, made appreciable progress in tackling the problem.

“Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past. It is simply not practicable to be fighting Boko Haram and be providing the security necessary for the election,” he said.

“It is very clear that this editorial of yours was motivated by bias and ignorance both of which are inexcusable.”