2023 Polls: United States Express Confidence In INEC’s Ability
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The United States (US) has expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s ability to successfully conduct hitch-free elections this year.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, who delivered the confidence vote at the 20th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, said the US favours no candidate but seeks a peaceful and transparent election in Nigeria.
According to her; “The United States supports credible and transparent elections that will reflect the will of the people in a process that will be conducted peacefully. We have confidence in INEC to conduct the elections.
“2023 is an opportunity for Nigeria to claim its place as the democratic leader in Africa. We favour no candidate. We favour open and transparent elections conducted in a peaceful process. This is the foundation of democracy and the legitimate transfer of power.
“It’s good that we reflect on the fact that since 1999, Nigerian voters have successfully exercised their democratic rights. For more than two decades, Nigeria has demonstrated to Africa and the world its strong commitment to peaceful and transparent elections.”
The Ambassador further said it was quite encouraging that at a time when democracy is being tampered with in many places across the African continent, the practice is taking deepening roots in Nigeria.
Welcoming guests to the Dialogue session, the Chairman of Media Trust Group, Malam Kabir Yusuf, said this year’s event is special, particularly coming a month before the general elections.
He told participants at the Session, chaired by John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, that the programme represents Media Trust’s little contribution to efforts at bringing peace to the country.
In attendance at this year’s Dialogue with the theme; “Interrogating the 2023 Presidential Agenda” are: former Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria, HRH Alhaji Ismaila Mohammed, with the panelists comprising the first female Chairman of First Bank, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; Professor of Political Science and member of the Board of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Professor Jibrin Ibrahim; Lecturer, Analysis of Business Problems, Lagos Business School, Dr. Yetunde Anibaba; and Human Capacity Development Specialist and Chief Executive Officer, Heltoni Services Limited, Dr. Eugene Enahoro.
Dignitaries in attendance also included former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema; Spokesman of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; and the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, INEC, Barrister Festus Okoye, among others.
