The United States has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist external “pressure and intimidation” in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2, saying those who “who interfere in the electoral process or incite violence” will be held to account.
The United States’ Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, in a press statement, said that the upcoming elections in Nigeria would be an opportunity for the country to solidify its democratic leadership in Africa. Pompeo also warned against violence during the general elections, saying the US will “remain intensely focused” on the elections.
Secretary Pompeo said: “The United States government supports a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful election that reflects the will of the Nigerian people. The chief US diplomat described Nigeria’s 2019 general elections as “a critical test” for the country, the ECOWAS sub-region and the entire continent.
“The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Nigeria to solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa”. It is critical that the Independent National Electoral Commission operates free from outside pressure and intimidation and in a totally objective manner. Nigerian security services must provide a safe and secure environment for the Nigerian people to exercise their rights,” Pompeo said.
The United States and the international community have continued to call for credible and peaceful general elections in the country. The Nigerian Federal Government had many times denounced hate speech and at a time wanted to declare it an act against the state to serve as a deterrent.
Also few weeks ago, the major political actors committed to a violence-free polls by signing a “Peace Accord” in Abuja as was done during the 2015 general elections, which the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of Peoples Democratic Party lost to Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressive Congress.
In a related development, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has tasked the government and people of Nigeria to ensure peaceful and credible general elections because “the world is interested and watching”. Symington stated this on Friday in Lafia, after meeting with Labaran Maku, Nasarawa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Noting that the responsibility of ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible polls rested with the government and all citizens, Symington said Nigeria gained much credibility after the success of the 2015 general elections. “That election was credible; it lifted the country’s standing internationally. Nigeria must build on that because its citizens are desirous of a peaceful and credible election.
“All the candidates I have talked to, at all levels, have expressed the desire for a free, fair and credible elections, where all votes will count. The forthcoming election is about Nigeria and by Nigerians. We must ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful conduct resulting in a credible outcome. Ultimately, every Nigerian is responsible under God, responsible under the law of the land, responsible to their conscience and in the court of public opinion, as well as in the eyes of the world.
“If Nigeria is to find a path forward for every Nigerian, that path runs through freedom, through peace and credible elections to be decided by Nigerians,” he said. According to him, peace is not just something you pledge but something that is planted and nurtured to growth using words and actions. “Truly, it’s up to each person to make a decision and take responsibility for doing what is right,” Symington said. Maku, in his remark, said that his party was committed to peaceful elections.
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