The presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the annulled June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deserves to be commended for its bold decision to register the new party despite what he called "pressure from powerful corners."

In an email he sent to our correspondent from Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Tofa said; "I would like to extend my congratulations to all the leaders and the parties that courageously merged together to form the new All Progressive Congress (APC).

"I must also congratulate INEC for their sense of justice and patriotism, who despite pressure from many powerful corners summoned the courage to do the right thing. I do hope that INEC will be similarly sincere in conducting all future elections, as these are even more crucial to our survival as a country.

"For the APC leaders and supporters, I must say the hard work begins now. Sacrifices have to be made, both personal and sectional, if we are to achieve the victories that are glaringly promised to us by the Nigerian electorate. "Internal democracy, good, competent and acceptable candidates are the recipe to the successes we all hope for. But a sure way to failure is to do the opposite. Nigerians now do have a genuine choice. I hope they will choose wisely," Tofa said.