The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is to be adequately supported in order to secure free, fair, and credible general elections in 2023, according to the United States government.
This was expressed by Will Stevens, the Consul General for the US Mission in Lagos, during a Wednesday interactive session commemorating the US-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 at the American Corner in Lagos.
Stevens further stated that the US administration had no favoured candidate for the upcoming general elections in Nigeria in 2023.
According to him, “What we care about is a free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria. We want to ensure that people have access to voting during elections. We are keen on ensuring that people are comfortable to come out and vote.
“The US government is also committed to providing adequate support for INEC to be able to conduct a peaceful elections that is free of violence.”
He said, “Be responsible to the existing and emerging issues in your community. If you don’t own responsibility of the problem in the society, you can not complain about the problem.
“We don’t have a preferred candidate in the 2023 elections. Our goal is to make sure the atmosphere is conducive enough and to protect the votes of the people.
“The US government is also working to ensure that politicians accept the outcomes of the elections,” he added.
To effect the desired transformation in the nation, Stevens has urged Nigerians to take ownership of their actions and participate in the democratic system.
Recall that this week, approximately 50 African leaders and delegates arrived in Washington for a significant summit that was part of the US-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 and was hosted by President Joe Biden.
The Summit is a key component of the US government’s extensive effort to repair and strengthen ties with African nations, whose connections with China have seen considerable expansion.