The Independent National Electoral Commission has been asked to resist external pressure and intimidation in the forthcoming general elections – The call was made by the United States through its secretary of state, Michael Pompeo –
The US says the 2019 general elections will be an opportunity for Nigeria to solidify its democratic leadership in Africa The United States has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist external pressure and intimidation in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2. The United States’ secretary of state, Michael Pompeo, in a press statement, said that the forthcoming elections in Nigeria would be an opportunity for the country to solidify its democratic leadership in Africa, News Agency of Nigeria reports.
OBSERVERS TIMES can authoritatively report that Pompeo said: “The United States government supports a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful election that reflects the will of the Nigerian people. “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. “Those who interfere in the electoral process or incite violence must be held to account. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Nigeria to solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa.” The United States and the international community have continued to call for credible and peaceful general elections in the country.
The country had described Nigeria’s 2019 general elections as “a critical test” for the country, the ECOWAS sub-region and the entire continent. The United States had also warned against violence during the February and March 2019 general elections in Nigeria, saying it would “remain intensely focused” on the elections.
THE OBSERVERS TIMES previously reported that United States ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, on Tuesday, January 29, said Nigeria should get the 2019 elections right in order not to disappoint those that looked up to it after the feat recorded in 2015. Symington made the remarks when he paid a visit to the police command in Kaduna. He said: “The state of Kaduna is an important place during this election. I am here to underscore a couple of key ideas. “The first being that these elections are really about Nigerians, decided by Nigerians under it’s laws which will define the future of Nigeria