United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly PheeHe said his country did not have a preferred candidate in the Nigerian general election.
Ms Phee stated this when she visited the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu in his office in Abuja.
He believes that the general election will be smooth and successful.
“Democracy is an exciting experiment in human governance. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, live in the city or the countryside, what is your religion, what is your nationality.
“Every vote counts and Nigerians should be confident in the electoral process. Thanks for the great work done by INEC.
“We are proud to meet you today. We are proud of our contribution to technical assistance to help you overcome the challenges of conducting a major election. It is a large and diverse country.
“We, like other international partners, are confident that you will succeed,” he said.
Ms Phee said the US did not have a preferred candidate in the election, but would support the process towards credible polls.
He said the US values its partnership with Nigeria.
“We are both diverse democracies and we want to support successful elections that are free and fair and peaceful, and I am happy to say that I am confident that you will be successful in the elections.
“Since 1999, Nigeria has made progress in solidifying and consolidating its democratic trajectory.
“And now, with INEC at the helm of the chairman, and the support of the best team, all Nigerians can be assured of the integrity of the upcoming elections,” he said.
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Ms Phee advised Nigerians to maintain peace in the country before, during and after the elections.
“I want to emphasize the importance of conducting peaceful elections.
“I want to emphasize that every citizen, every stakeholder, every party participating in the election has a responsibility before the election, during the campaign, during the election and after the election, to keep it peaceful,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Yakubu reiterated INEC’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections that would uphold the will of the people as expressed in the polls.
“Like the United States, INEC is only interested in the process. The commission is not a political party. We have no candidates in the election.
“We are only focused on the process, the choice is ultimately Nigerians. The commission will support the choice made by Nigerians.
“We are committed to free, fair, credible, and inclusive and I also need to increase verifiable elections in 2023,” he said.
Mr. Yakubu said INEC is looking forward to consolidating its partnership with the US
“If the United States is the largest presidential democracy in the world, which country is the second largest presidential democracy in the world? That’s right Nigeria.
“Yes, you may have other countries like India, Indonesia, other democracies, but they are parliamentary democracies, not presidential democracies.
“Based on Nigeria’s population projections in the next two years, who knows we may even overtake the United States as the world’s largest presidential democracy.
“So we are interested in making sure that we consolidate our democracy. There is no better system of government than a democratic system that will continue to be ruled by the people,” he said.
(IN)
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