Why 2011 Poll Will Make or the Nation- Prof Hagher.

Byline: Peter Duru

Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher is university don and diplomat. He was once Nigeria's Ambassador to Mexico and currently Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada. In this interview, he spoke about political developments in Nigeria and the reactions of the international community. He also commented on zoning among other issues. Excerpts:

The forthcoming 2011 poll is generating so much tension and anxiety in the country, what do you think our leaders and electorate should do to bring about a credible election?

The most tragic thing about elections in Nigeria is the fact that elections are not considered as a game of democracy with a set time line and the mediation is public good.

If we knew that after four years as guaranteed by our constitution the person who didn't win election can wait and still run for election and still have a chance of running again with the incumbent and winning, there will be greater peace.

If elections were not wars, because at the end of every nomination exercise and every election, no matter how many votes a looser garners, it is the winner takes everything, these are bad aspects of the constitution we operate.

So my …