Consul General of the United State to Nigeria, Ambassador John Bray, has said that the United States is interested in free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Bray, who restated the commitment of the US to violence-free electoral process, stated that the US was not supporting any candidate in the February 16, 2019, presidential election in the country.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the US Consul General as making the comment during a courtesy call on the governor at the Government House, Yenagoa.

He noted that his delegation was on a tour to the southern states in the country to interface with civil society organisations, traditional rulers and other political stakeholders on the need for peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.

He said: “The US does not have a candidate in this election. We are looking for a free, fair, credible and peaceful process, a process that allows the choice of the Nigerian citizens to come through.

“So, we are going to spend some time with the governor and chat about different things we might be able to do to better the situation and anything we can do to help before leaving for Port Harcourt.”

In his remarks, Bayelsa State governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, commended the efforts of the international community at peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Governor Dickson reiterated his call on the political class to respect the will of the people and make efforts that would renew their confidence in the unity and peaceful coexistence of the different ethnic nationalities.

Describing Nigeria as a critical member of the international community, he cautioned politicians to be wary of utterances and conducts that could throw the country into an avoidable crisis which could truncate the nation’s democracy.

“We want to thank the US mission in Nigeria for your services, contributions and for the building of peace as well as the promotion of our nation’s democracy. We also want to thank you for always thinking of us and caring about what is going on here in the Niger Delta.

“I have read about the statements made by your mission and other international partners concerning the forthcoming general elections. Our state and I welcome these interventions. We believe that our country is and should be a responsible member of the international community.

“As practising politicians, all of us should conduct the politics and affairs of our country in such a way as to respect the due processes of the law and the elections so that in the end, what we do and say would continue to promote peace and stability in various communities across the country.

“Nigeria is a critical member of the world community. It is the largest and most populous black nation in the world. So what goes on in Nigeria should rightly be of interest to the rest of the world, and the world cannot be standing by watching things go bad in Nigeria.”