SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES THAT NIGERIAN ELECTIONS WILL CONSTITUTE MAJOR POSITIVE STEP IN TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY
Press Release
SG/SM/6911*
AFR/135*
SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES THAT NIGERIAN ELECTIONS WILL CONSTITUTE MAJOR POSITIVE STEP IN TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY
19990301 The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General has been informed of the provisional results of the Presidential elections of Saturday, 27 February, as published by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
The United Nations has been providing technical assistance to INEC throughout the electoral process and has also provided coordination and support to international observers who have not yet reported on their observations.
It appears that Olusegun Obasanjo has received a majority of the votes cast.
As you are aware, the Secretary-General has closely followed the ongoing process of democratization in Nigeria, particularly following his visit to Abuja last year. He attaches the highest importance to Nigeria's return to civilian rule and hopes that these elections will constitute a major positive step in the transition to democracy.
* *** *
* Reissued for technical reasons.