The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the promised commitment by President Goodluck Jonathan to free and fair 2015 elections is worthy of commendation. The party added that the President’s avowal in his New Year message to the nation should be matched with action.

In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed satisfaction that the President and his party had come out publicly to join the APC in pledging commitment to successful and violence-free polls next month.

“In a statement, which we issued on December 28, 2014, we assured Nigerians that we will do everything in our power to make the 2015 elections violence-free. Since then, PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu and the President have joined us in making similar pledges. This is a welcome development that will gladden the hearts of our citizens, who are very apprehensive about the forthcoming elections,’’ APC said.

The party, however, said the best way to make the elections free, fair and devoid of violence is for the Federal Government to ensure a level playing field for all the parties by not tampering with the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), not using the security agencies to witch-hunt the opposition and not deliberately disenfranchising all those who are qualified to vote

“If an election is free, fair and transparent and seen to be so by all, it will be easy for all concerned to accept the outcome, and there will be no violence. Violence only occurs when there is a realisation that the process has been skewed against some, and in favour of others,’’ the party said.

•Adapted from Nigerian Tribune. Photo shows Lai Mohammed.