Ahead of the February 25 presidential election,the United States government says it has no preferred candidate but is keenly interested in the consolidation of the democratic process in Africa’s largest democracy.
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Molly Phee, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Africa Affairs made her country’s position know during a courtesy visit on Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja
“I want to make it clear that United States is not backing any candidate. We are backing the the electoral process,we are backing democracy.”
She said the coming election matters to the United States, Nigeria being a worthy partner, as she lauds the effort the country has made since 1999 to consolidate and solidify her Democratic trajectory.
In hee words:
The United States values highly our partnership with Nigeria,we are both diverse democracies, and we are to encourage a successful election that is free, fair and peaceful.
“And I am happy to say that I have great confidence that you will have a successful election. Since 1999 Nigeria has been moving up,up ,up in solidifying and consolidating its democratic trajectory ”
She noted the great work the commission under Prof Mahmood Yakubu has made to midwife a credible electoral process and enjoined all citizen to believe in the integrity of the current electoral process.
“Under the leadership of the chairman and the support of his team, all Nigerians have confidence in the integrity of the upcoming elections.
“Democracy are an exciting experiment in human governance. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor,living in the city or the countryside, where you originate or what your nationality is . Every single vote counts, and Nigerians should have confidence in the electoral process, thanks to the excellent work of INEC.
She said all stakeholders, political party and citizens have a responsibility to make the process succeed and especially come out peaceful during and after the election.
“I do want to emphasize that need for a peaceful election. And 6i do want to emphasize that every citizen, every stakeholder, every party involved in the election has a responsibility during the campaign, during the election,and after the election to be peaceful.
“It is very important because of the challenge we face in my own country, and I encourage to look at the. 230 years of American history and see benefits of peaceful transfer of power every fours and I think Nigeria can succeed.
Molly Phee who was accomplished on the visit by the US Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard expressed her conviction that the Elections will be peacefully conducted and democracy protected, as the country has demonstrated since 1999
In his Prof Yakubu said that the commission has already implemented 12 out of 14 programmes mapped out for the election, noting that al that is outstanding at the moment is the end of campaign and election proper in eleven days time.
