ELECTION observers representing the Commonwealth have arrived Nigeria today undeterred by Nasir El-Rufai’s dust-raising statement on international interference in the country’s election.

The Commonwealth observers have reported to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to meet Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman and other members of the commission at the commissions’ conference room in Abuja.

Jakaya Kikwete is the leader of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Nigeria.  Mrs. Lesley Clark; Mr. Ernest Sagaga; Mr. Gary Dunn, Mr. Shahabuddin Yaqoob; and Mr. Prosper Bani are other members of the observer group.

Last week, El-Rufai’s statement had caused reactions from concerned citizens who think such utterance is provocative and may incite violence.

European Union Election Observer Mission arrived Nigeria on January 22, stating that the observer mission has no interest in seeing any particular candidate win but are absolutely independent and will assess Nigeria’s commitment to electoral laws and international best practices.

It is expected that the outcome of the Commonwealth Observer Mission’s meeting with the INEC will be made public later.