United States Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Africa Affairs Molly Phee with INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu at INEC headquaters Abuja.
The United States of America says it will support the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to conduct free fair and credible elections in the country.
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Africa Affairs, Molly Phee made this known in Abuja when she, in Company of US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard visited the INEC headquarters.
Molly Phee who said that the US does not have a preferred candidate explained that they valued their partnership with Nigeria and as such, would encourage an election that would be acceptable to Nigerians.
“I do not want to emphasize the importance of conducting a peaceful poll. Every Citizen, Stakeholders and Political parties involved in the election had a responsibility to ensure a peaceful environment before, during and after the polls.”
“I have great confidence that you would have a successful election. Since 1999, Nigeria had been moving up in solidifying and consolidating its democratic efforts. ” she said.
She urged Nigerians to have confidence in the electoral processes.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu said the Commission was committed in its effort to conduct a credible election in the country.
“The Commission is not a political party, we have no candidate in the election. We will only focus on the processes. The choice ultimately resides with the people of Nigeria “.
Professor Yakubu assured that the vote of the electorate must count on Election days.
Reporting be Ogochukwu Okoronkwo; editing by Chinasa Ossai & Julian Osamoto