The United States yesterday shed light on why Nigeria must get it right in the 2019 general election, stating categorically that if the country fails to conduct credible polls, the democratic process in Africa might fail.
Specifically, the US government said it was interested in the democratic process in Nigeria because of the country’s strategic nature of being the largest population and economy in Africa.
Speaking after a dinner with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu, at the US Ambassador’s residence, the US assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Ambassador Tibor P. Nagy (Jr), said Nigeria must serve as an example to the African continent.
“The state should be neutral,” Tibor said, referring to the Nigerian government, even as he added that “US views the election as very important”.
He explained that the frequent statements issued by the US government about Nigeria’s 2019 general election only seek a transparent process.
On his part, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, said America had a candidate in every election in the world.
“The transparent process is our candidate,” Stuart said, referring to that country’s involvement in the Nigeria’s elections, which he described as critical and important.
“What happens to Nigeria is significant to Africa and the world. That is why we have been organising meetings with the Nigerian officials,” he said.
According to Stuart, Nigeria is coming up democratically, which is why US cares so much about the country.
“We care so much about Nigeria,” the ambassador said, adding that during a visit to one of the states in Nigeria, he was impressed that the voter register was displayed for all Nigerians to see.
Read more at: https://leadership.ng/2018/11/09/2019-polls-if-nigeria-fails-africa-fails-us/
