Few weeks to the start of this year’s general elections, many Nigerians are becoming apprehensive about its conduct and acceptance.

However, Chief Livinus Richard Okwara, has dismissed such fears, saying that the elections would be transparently conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under a peaceful and congenial atmosphere and would be acceptable to all Nigerians.

Okwara, who spoke with journalists in Lagos on Saturday, hinged his optimism on what he called the “apparent readiness of President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Mahmood Yakubu – led INEC, and other stakeholders,” to conduct the elections and sustain the ongoing democracy in the country, which started in May 1999, following the exit of the military.

Nigerians, will, once again, go to the polls this year, to elect their leaders into various positions, including, the presidency, National Assembly, beginning from February 25.

According to Okwara, a chieftain of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, party, urged Nigerians to remain committed to democratic survival in the country.

He said APC would retain the presidency and also make credible showings in all other elective posts, saying that, President Buhari has done well.

“Please, go to the 36 states, Abuja and the 774 local government areas, you will be amazed at the level of infrastructure developments there; good roads, bridges/flyovers, housing facilities, railways, and others, are everywhere, even in some states controlled by the opposition parties, including the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He said Buhari had worked in synergy with the states, security agencies and other critical stakeholders, to tame the dreaded Boko Haram, insurgency, banditry, pointing out that the president has gradually overcome the chronic scare caused by insecurity.
Okwara, who is the Chairman, Rimax Institute of Computer Studies, Meiran- Lagos, said he pitched his tent with the progressives since returning from England in the early 70s because of its welfarre policies, saying, “late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Unity Party of Nigeria’s, UPN’s, leader, and his proteges, including late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former governor of Lagos; and the current presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, truly represent what progressives means, through their investments in education, health, agriculture and other welfare policies.

He said the elections will provide another golden opportunities for Nigerians to solve some of their teething challenges, including unemployment, insecurity, energy crisis, poverty, among other isdues.