Wants Nigeria to learn from 200 years unbroken democracy

The United States (U.S.) government, yesterday, clarified it has no preferred candidate or political party among those seeking elective posts in the 2023 general elections.

It also stressed the need for Nigeria to conduct free, fair and credible elections that would guarantee peaceful transfer of power.

United States Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Africa Affairs, Molly Phee, stated this when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

The meeting, held few hours after the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, met with leaders of political parties, was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, and Political Counselor at the American Embassy in Nigeria, Rolf Olson.

Phee said the elections “matter to the United States,” because her country is interested in consolidating democracy, and doing so peacefully.
“I also want to make it clear that the United States does not back any candidates or party. We back the process, we back democracy,” she said.

Phee urged Nigeria to look at American history and learn from its years of uninterrupted democracy.