Members of the United States Council for Foreign Relations, CFR and a group of Africa Experts have called for the immediate removal of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Maurice Iwu as a precondition for the United States acceptability of the government of Musa Yar’Adua.

The group in a statement made available to pointblanknews also wants the Yar’Adua’s administration to take urgent step in correcting the electoral frauds in Edo, Ondo and Ekiti States as well as the restoration of civil liberties and political rights in Nigeria.

The group also asked the United States government to put the Yar’Adua’s administration on notice that the elections “were a terrible outcome that has damaged democracy’s prospects in Nigeria and set back Nigeria’s reputation in the United States,” and that “the new leadership must take urgent steps to establish credibility and regain international support and cooperation.”

According to the group, prospects for full and constructive bilateral cooperation will depend on concrete and rapid progress in several critical areas.”

Questioning the legitimacy of the election of the new Nigeria’s President, the group noted that Musa Yar’ Adua’s administration will be confronted with doubts whether his government has what it takes to quell the insecurity in the Niger Delta region and elsewhere, fight anticorruption and promote democratic norms.

“He will confront deep doubts that under his leadership, Nigeria will be able to carry forward a democratic agenda, internal conflict resolution in Niger Delta and elsewhere, economic reforms and anticorruption efforts and a continental leadership to promote democratic norms and efforts to end chronic internal wars in places such as Dafur.”

The group added that, “debate will persist over whether this failed election will invite further domestic violence and instability, with broader consequences across Africa.”

According to the experts and CFR members, “From a U.S. perspective, there is grave concern that Nigeria’s failed elections will compromise the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship and place at-risk rising U.S. interests in Nigeria and in Africa at-large.”

The U.S group also called for “overhaul of the electoral system, including new legislation, registration, and electoral procedures, and the creation of independent oversight and monitoring entities for future elections.”

While calling for the appointment of a new and credible economic reform team and the reinvigoration of the anticorruption campaign, the group made a strong case for an urgent action to “empower and accelerate the work of electoral tribunals.”

The statement jointly signed by Richard Joseph, Darren Kew, Peter M. Lewis, Ambassador Princeton Lyman, J. Stephen Morrison and John Paden