United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr John Campbell, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to correct all shortcomings observed during the gubernatorial and house of assembly elections.
A statement released in Abuja yesterday, quote Campbell as reiterating the White House’s concern about voting irregularities and election-related violence.
Campbell said Nigerians, as well as Nigeria’s overseas friends, were looking forward to an election process that was transparent and based on authorised procedures.
He said all of Nigeria’s friends look forward to celebrating
on May 29, the transition from one civilian government to another through the democratic process, according to the rule of law. “All of us hope that these shortcomings will be soon corrected,” he said.
He praised Nigerians who demonstrated commitment to their country and their democratic engagement last Saturday, adding that it was moving to see long lines of people waiting to exercise their democratic rights.
The ambassador said the American experience has been that adherence to the rule of law is a first principle of credible elections, adding that violence was not the answer.
He said in a democracy, it was the courts that provide venue for lawful resolution of disputes, not the streets, and “as the Nigerian proverb says, peace and injustice are like day and night, they cannot stay together,” he said.
Campbell commended election observers, adding that they were participating in a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s pilgrimage toward democracy conducted under the rule of law.
He also expressed “gratitude of the American community in Nigeria for the condolences and other expressions of sympathy we have received regarding the tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia. The warmth of Nigerian sentiments in this time of American mourning is a great comfort,” he said.