A member of the African Union election mission for the general election in Zimbabwe and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has dismissed the information that former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria has been rejected as the leader of AU Election Observer Mission for the Zimbabwe general election scheduled for July 31, 2013.
Kalu made the clarification on Thursday morning at the Rainbow Towers Hotel, Harare, Zimbabwe shortly after the induction session for the members of the team.
The induction was presided over by Dr. Nkosazana Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Kalu said: “President Obasanjo has the mandate of the African Union to lead the mission and nobody has the right to stop him.
“I know President Obasanjo is a strong willed and courageous leader who will not be discouraged by the falsehood spreading in some quarters.”
Kalu noted that the choice of the leader and members of the mission was adopted after a rigorous process of selection based on certain criteria.
He said there could not have been a better team.
Kalu said the essence of the Election Observer Mission is to observe without bias the presidential and legislative elections, adding that the team will not be moved by sentiments, especially with its assignment based on well defined terms of reference.
He appealed to the electorate, politicians and political parties to adhere to the rules of the game.
He assured members of the mission that President Obasanjo will join the team latest by July 27, 2013.
