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Former Zambian president to lead election observation mission to Nigeria

Xinhua, February 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda has been appointed as co-leader of an election observation mission to Nigeria's election set for next week, his office said on Thursday.

Banda, Zambia's fourth president, will co-lead an election observation mission under the National Institute for International Affairs (NDI) whose chairperson is former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

NDI senior associate and regional director for central and west Africa Christopher Fomunyoh said in an invitation sent to the former Zambian president that Banda's will greatly benefit the NDI delegation as Africa's most populous nation faces the most competitive election since the transition from military to civilian rule in 1999.

Banda will co-lead the delegation with former United State for African Affairs Johnie Carson, former Niger Prime Minister Mahamadu Danda, former Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and former governor of Colorado Bill Ritter, according to the statement.

The 77-year-old Banda, who ruled Zambia from August 2008 to September 2011, has previously led election observation missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Sierra Leone under the Carter Center and to Lesotho under the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa.

Incumbent Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is standing for re-election on Feb. 14 against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Banda gained world recognition when he peacefully handed over power after losing the 2011 general elections to late President Michael Sata. Endi