The United States of America has thrown it’s weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and the electoral process in Nigeria.
Speaking at a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja on Monday, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Africa Affairs, Molly Phee emphasised the importance of the forthcoming General Election to her country, noting that the US is interested in peaceful and credible election .
Phee who was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said she had great confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and believe the forthcoming election would be successful.
While calling for a successful election that is free, fair and peaceful in Nigeria, the US envoy assured that the State has no preferred candidate or political party but highly values its partnership with Nigeria and prioritises credible elections.
“I want to make it clear that the United States does not back any candidate or party, we back the process, we back democracy.
“I do want to emphasize the importance of conducting a peaceful election and to say that every citizen, stakeholders, and parties involved in the election have a responsibility, before, during and after the election, to be peaceful,” Phee asserted.
In his remarks, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured that the Commission is interested in consolidating on the gains of democracy in Nigeria.
The Chairman reassured the delegation that the Commission is fully prepared to conduct the elections, affirming that 12 out of all 14 pre-election activities in the schedule have been implemented
Prof. Yakubu said “We want to reassure you that we are on the same page in our total commitment to a credible, free, fair and inclusive process in 2023 and to assure Nigerians that we will uphold only that which transpires at the polling unit and that the will of Nigerians”.
