Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The United States of America, yesterday, replied the Federal Government over accusations of making statements that undermine the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
The US stated that after all said and done, each person would be held accountable for his actions during the polls, first by their own conscience, under God, and, in accord with the laws of Nigeria and in the court of Nigerian public opinion.
The US response was against the backdrop of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama’s comments during a closed-door meeting with the Senior Director for Africa and Special Assistant to the United States President, Cyril Sartor, on the sidelines of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The US’ response was also sequel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council’s statement on Monday that it was deeply concerned about comments of the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, and other western diplomats over the elections, which it said, were off-key.
But, Symington, in a post on the embassy’s Facebook page, yesterday, said: “The United States Embassy in Nigeria wishes to reiterate unequivocally that we are not taking sides in Nigeria’s election. We do not support any party or candidate. We support a level playing field and the democratic process. That is the bedrock principle of our Government’s advocacy on democratic elections.
“It must be repeated: we are not taking sides. This is Nigeria’s election and the citizens of Nigeria will decide who will lead their nation. It is important for the future of every Nigerian and it is important that every Nigerian contribute to making it a democratic, peaceful, free and fair process. This will ensure that all Nigerians see the results as credible, and they accept them. This will empower Nigeria’s democracy going forward, as did the elections of 2015.
“Every Nigerian citizen is vital to the success of this election. Each person is responsible for his or her own actions and words, and all must be held accountable…”
Symington also noted that the US is Nigeria’s long-term and enduring friend, havingprovided more than $1 billion in assistance and has helped saved more than two million Nigerians lives, each year, through its health and humanitarian assistance.
“This will not change. We are Nigeria’s good partner, and this will continue after this democratic election–no matter who wins,” he said.
In a related development, the United Kingdom has said its interest in the elections is as a result of its job; to stand with the people of Nigeria in their democratic journey.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, stated this when she appeared on Nigerian Info FM 95.1, where she discussed UK-Nigeria bilateral ties.
The UK, also in a post on the High Commission’s Facebook page, said: “As an independent observer country, we respect Nigeria’s sovereignty; it is our job to stand with the people of Nigeria in this democratic journey. The process is what matters to us.
“This is why we will be deploying over 100 observers covering 15 states, to support observer missions from European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, US embassy and other local observers.”
The UK also expressed confidence in preparations for the elections.