Chinedu Eze
9 October 2008
Lagos — Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, yesterday accused African leaders of resisting change, adding that it is only through reform that electoral fraud, which has impeded democracy in Africa could be wiped out.
Odinga, who arrived Nigeria yesterday, told reporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos, that it is possible to eliminate political problem in the continent through institution of total reforms and having independent electoral system that would not kow-tow to wishes of government in power.
"We have leaders of yesterday who are resisting change. They do not want to accept the will of the people through democratic process and those new ones who are coming in and are basically democrats like to play by the rule. This is a transition period from the time multi-partism came into Africa that is from the early 1990s up till now," he said.
Odinga, who is former opposition leader, came to Nigeria with his wife, Ida, for The Guardian's 25th anniversary lecture, which holds today. He was accompanied by Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria , Mr Daniel Koikah.
"I want to basically thank my host for inviting me to Nigeria. I am very happy to be in Nigeria today. I have come with a team of fellow Kenyans. I like the spirit of Nigerians. You asked me about the electoral fraud. Electoral fraud can only be dealt with by reforms, through instituting total reforms of having independent electoral body to preside over elections," Odinga said, adding that Africa is in a state of transition from dictatorship to democracy.
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