5 Things The United States Said In Its Statement About 2019 Elections In Nigeria

US Speaks On 2019 Nigerian Elections

The United States has declared that it will continue to closely follow developments in Nigeria’s democracy, adding that it has no preferred candidate.

The US, in a statement on Thursday through its embassy, however, expressed disappointment over the irregularities reported in the 2019 general election.

The statement also commiserated with the families of all those who lost their lives during the elections and urged all stakeholders to work towards ensuring fair and credible supplementary elections.

Speaking further, the US congratulated Nigeria’s commitment to the electoral process and urged that the will of the people should reflect in the results.

Here are five things contained in the statement as extracted by Naija News.

1. The will of the Nigerian people must reflect in the results.

2. The United States has vowed to closely follow Nigeria’s democracy and its democratic process.

3. The US expressed sadness about the violence and loss of lives reported in some places.

4. Nigeria needs to improve the electoral process for future elections.

5. Nigeria is an important leader in the African continent and a strategic partner of the United States.

The full statement is reflected below:

“The United States once again congratulates the Nigerian people’s commitment to the democratic process throughout the election season,” the US said in a statement.

“The United States supports a democratic process where the will of the Nigerian people is reflected in the results.

“As long-time friends of Nigeria, we continue to follow closely the still ongoing elections. We do not have a preferred party or candidate.

“As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, we too were disappointed by the low voter turnout as well as credible reports of voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by security forces, and violence in some locations.

“We are saddened by those acts of violence and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, including those who worked for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security services.

“As the 2019 electoral cycle comes to an end, we urge all stakeholders to work towards a free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful process, especially for the many Nigerians across the country who again will go to polls on Saturday.

“We encourage all stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, and the security services, to continue to improve the electoral process for future elections.

“We look to Nigeria as an important leader on the African continent. As a democratic partner of Nigeria, the United States remains committed to working together to achieve our mutual goals of peace and prosperity for the citizens of both our countries.”