THE United States (U.S.) government seems upbeat about Nigeria overcoming its electoral challenges through the current exercise that began last Saturday.
Specifically, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State on African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, yesterday praised the electoral process so far, even as he noted that “the integrity of Prof. Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC,” has enhanced the credibility of the process that most observers have hailed so far.
Besides, the former U.S. envoy to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, who observed the elections in Abuja, Nasarawa and Kaduna states on Saturday in the company of U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and some other foreign observers, praised the “passion and energy of the young men and women who are electoral officers from the National Youth Service Corps.”
The American diplomat, who had interaction with journalists in Abuja yesterday, said “the future of Nigeria rests on the strength of its democratic institutions”, which last Saturday’s election has represented.
He was upbeat that the electoral process has been significantly different from the last election in 2007.
His words: “I compliment Prof. Jega, his team and the Youth Corps members... Professor Jega and his team have bounced back well after the April 2 election failure... It is good to acknowledge the good work of Jega and Nigeria Youth Service Corps members.
“It is clear there is greater enthusiasm about these elections... People went to the polls, they were accredited, and they voted without any hindrance. I saw no malfeasance in any of the polling stations we visited. I didn’t see any anomaly or irregularities...Yes, we saw the need for some voter education, as some voters didn’t know what to do with the ballot papers. Besides, there should be some standardisation of procedures... “
The U.S. envoy, in response to a question, denied that he was part of the political moves that shaped the choice of Jega among three nominees, including Buhari Bello of National Human Rights Commission.
His words: “Prior to his appointment, I never met him. I did not advocate his position. This is a role and responsibility for Nigerians. It is true that I was not a friend of the former Chairman of INEC... I felt very strong that the U.S. government should not put any money in support of the commission that did not want democracy or strong institutions under Professor Iwu... We had doubts about his integrity. I was very happy to see Iwu depart. I was very happy to see Jega appointed... His integrity as a university professor, as a civil activist, he has many of the qualifications needed. But the most important is his integrity...”
He said the U.S. interest in Nigeria was predicated on the premise that, “We want a democratic Nigeria to take its rightful place as Africa’s largest population, economic dynamo in West Africa, as a top exporter of oil to even the United States.”
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy would be the gainer if Jonathan loses and steps aside. His words: “There have been presidents that have lost elections and stepped aside... Atta Mills of Ghana has been one of them that defeated a ruling party... The beauty of democracy is when you see institutions stronger than individuals... In a democracy, if you lose, step aside. It is good for democracy.”
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US Envoy gives Nigerian Polls Thumbs UP.
US Envoy gives Nigerian Polls Thumbs UP.
NigerianEye
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Monday, April 11, 2011
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