Against the background of the raging controversy on zoning in the country, President John Atta Mills of Ghana has urged that Nigerians should be allowed to choose their own leaders.

Addressing State House correspondents after bilateral talks with President Jonathan yesterday, President Mills said free and transparent polls, where all contestants are accorded a level playing field, would send positive signals to the international community that Nigeria has come of age in her democratic experience.

While pledging his country’s support for credible elections in Nigeria, President Mills said Ghana “will do whatever it takes to ensure that the people of Nigeria are given the opportunity to choose their leaders”.

“This will send positive signals to the rest of the world that our big brother, Nigeria, is following the path which has been blazed by other countries,” he stated.

He expressed Ghana’s interest to work closely with Nigeria in pursuing common interests and objectives.

“I am lucky to have a friend like President Jonathan in the sub-region. I will continue to dialogue with him and other colleagues to build a better sub-region anda better Africa,” he said.

Also today,President Boni Yayi of Republic of Benin  called on Nigerians to ensure they elect a transparent and peaceful leader as their President come 2011.

Briefing correspondents after bilateral talks with President Jonathan in State House, Abuja, today, President Yayi noted that Benin looks up to Nigeria for guidance as a big brother, adding that Nigeria has come of age to elect credible leaders through transparent polls.

President Yayi’s charge came on the heels of a similar call yesterday by President John Atta Mills of Ghana that Nigerians should be allowed to choose their own leaders.

President Yayi also solicited President Jonathan’s support and input, in his capacity as chairman of ECOWAS, towards transparent and credible polls in Benin, saying “Benin’s problems are Nigeria’s problems too and vice versa”.

He said Benin is desirous of sustaining and building upon age-long relations with Nigeria. 

“President Jonathan and I discussed areas of greater cooperation with Nigeria as our big brother, issues of security of our borders, better infrastructure for our peoples, the prosperity of our citizens, and how we can choose transparent and peaceful leaders in the ECOWAS sub-region.”

“I am going back to Benin satisfied and happy that President Jonathan is ready to help us,” Yayi stated.