2023 ELECTION: USA Expresses Confidence in Nigeria’s Electoral Process
Oru Leonard
The United States of America has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and the forthcoming election.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Africa Affairs, Molly Phee disclosed this on Monday while speaking at a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja.
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.
On the issue of preferred candidate and election credibility Phee asserted, “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.”
Speaking earlier, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu affirmed that the Commission is interested in consolidating on the gains of democracy in Nigeria.
He assured 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
“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”, Professor Mahmood said.
