First and foremost, I wish to employ this medium to commend the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed for his recent and bold affirmation that any attempt to oust the present INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, could lead to chaos in Nigeria.

Ahmed is one of the few opportune and highly placed Nigerians who have issued the stern warning as a reminder to the executive arm of government, to which he also belongs, that a popular demand by the people cannot be easily wished away if peace and stability are to be maintained in any democracy entity.

News had been making the rounds that the Presidency was perfecting plans to direct Jega to proceed on terminal leave as a means of ensuring that he did not conclude the forthcoming elections, an allegation that had been repeatedly referred to as baseless by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It should be appreciated that Jega's removal, at this crucial period, could lead to a truncation of already laid down and improved methods of electioneering which should normally serve as template for future conduct of free, fair and credible elections, apart from fuelling anarchy through the people's restiveness.

I would also want to make reference to roving allegations on plans to freeze financial accounts of top notchers of the main opposition, the All Progressives' Congress and the confiscation of retired General Buhari's presidential campaign aircraft. While I cannot confer truism on the allegations because they neither carry substantiation nor attract response from the powers that be, I would state that if they eventually become evident, they would signify abuse of rights.

The assumption of power by a new entrant as well as the process of self -succession by an incumbent should not be a 'do-or-die' affair and quite fortunately, President Goodluck Jonathan had reiterated his commitment to ensuring that power is handed over to a democratically elected government come 29th May this year, which amounts to a promise of free and fair elections.

It is on record that the exit of an incumbent from office in democratic nations can glorious, more so through a conscientiously conducted election.

In Nigeria, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was internationally credited when in 1979 he handed over power to a democratically elected government headed by Alhaji Shehu Shagari, with membership of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons' Group.

Also in Ghana, Flight Lieutenant John Jerry Rawlings got international accolades when he was voted out of power despite his glowing achievements including the liberation of his people from the repressive fangs of Generals Akuffo, Afrifa and Archeampong, and the revamp of the country's hitherto battered economy.

*'Segun 'Bambo Ojomo, Lagos