After many years of flawed elections in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared that 2011 would usher in the “freest and fairest” elections in Nigeria. He also said that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, was capable of conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2011 having been given the necessary funds to execute his national assignment. This came as the former President of Pakistan, Mr. Pervez Musharraf, yesterday said that corruption was the bane of development especially in the developing countries which he said should not be tolerated. Jonathan and Musharraf stated these at the 12th session of Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Lecture Series titled: “Democracy as Holism: That the Doves May Be Set Free in Our Land (Political Stability, Security, Peace and Socio-Economic Development as Integrals of Democracy)” which took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State for Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said the administration’s electoral and political reforms are targeted to ensure the sanctity of the ballot. The President who said that both Nigeria and Pakistan have a lot to share in common in terms of diversity in tribe, religion, language and politics, noted that the socio-economic and political problems in the country today are traceable to dictatorial military rules in the past. Apart from stating that only leaders that have the interests of the citizens should emerge in elections, Jonathan promised that he will ensure a people-oriented government. Jonathan, who described poverty as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s development, said poverty would be eliminated in the country if power problems are solved. According to him, over 96 contracts had been awarded totalling $1.94 million dollars. Musharraf, who was the keynote speaker at the occasion apart from acknowledging that corruption is as rampant in Pakistan as it’s in Nigeria, said the worst of corruption today is “strategic corruption” involving the president, his ministers and government bureaucracy. Another form of corruption, he said, is “tactical corruption” which he said exists in lower strata of the government system. He said he was able to tackle corruption in Pakistan during his nine years in power through the establishment of the National Accountability Bureau, which he said fought to stand still the so called super rich in his country. To ensure sustainable democracy in the developing countries, Musharaff advised governments to address the problems of economic inequities saying that the best democracy is one that holistically addresses the problems of segments of the society. Musharaff who said that democracy was far better than socialism and communism, said “democracy does not end in conducting election but how democratically elected people use governance to affect the lives of others positively. He said that terrorism and extremism in developing countries was a symptom of political disputes, sub-nationalism, and economic inequities saying by ensuring equitable development of state, welfare for all citizens, provision of water, health, education and food will help to reduce the culture of impunity. Source: Thisdayonline.com