The United States of America has said it would back the transmission of political power so long as it conforms to the rule of law and Nigeria’s Constitution.
Fielding questions from State House Correspondents, the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Johnnie Carson, who paid a visit to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday said the US was concerned about political development in Nigeria because it is Africa’s largest democracy and a friend and a partner of the US.
Speaking on the reason for his visit, Carson said, “The secretary of State wanted me to clearly convey that during this period of uncertainty we believe that it is very important that if indeed there is a transition of political power in Nigeria let it be done democratically according to the rule of law and the Constitution.
“As a fellow democracy, US believes firmly in the values of democracy; we think that its principles are also important in Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest democracy and also a friend and a partner of the US. If there is any change it should be according to the Constitution and done democratically and according to the law.”
A statement by the Vice President’s spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro said Jonathan at the meeting pledged the commitment of the present administration to credible elections in the 2011 election.
Jonathan said he had already directed the Inspector- General of Police and the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately commence the prosecution of all persons arrested for various electoral offences during last weekend’s gubernatorial election in Anambra State .
“We believe that for us to move forward, we must institutionalize good governance, and the first rung in the ladder towards that is credible elections. We are determined to have free and fair general elections in 2011, under the supervision of local and international observers. We will ensure that the votes of our citizens count in 2011,” the Acting President said.
According to Jonathan, last weekend’s gubernatorial polls in Anambra and the Edo Assembly poll in Etsako were instances to show the world the trend the 2011 polls will take.
“Generally, people admitted that there were significant improvements in these polls. The problematic areas have been isolated and we will deal with such in subsequent elections. The right thing must be done in this country, because the country is more important than any political affiliation or individual,” Jonathan stated.
The Vice-President said Government will pursue ongoing electoral reforms to a logical conclusion and ensure speedy passage of electoral bills before the National Assembly, adding that the pace is synonymous with the democratic process.
He urged the US Government to reconsider its stand and de-list Nigeria from its watch list of “countries of interest” in the international war against terrorism.
He reiterated that the incident of attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound plane by a Nigerian, Farouk Abdumutallab, was isolated and novel to the Nigerian people. He noted that Abdumutallab would not have had such inclinations if he had lived in Nigeria for most of his adult life. He assured that the Nigerian Government on its own part “will do everything possible, and work with the US and the international community to ensure that such incident does not repeat itself again.”
He informed Carson that he directed the Nigerian security agencies to cooperate with their American counterparts to investigate the incident. He also said that 3D body scanners that have been introduced at Nigerian airports. “Some of these things are alien to our culture, but we have to compromise for the safety of the human race.”
On the Niger Delta, Jonathan told the US envoy that the Nigerian Government considers that post-amnesty phase as critical as the amnesty itself. “We are done with the disarmament and we are committed to all follow up issues,” he said, while urging US assistance and contribution in the area of capacity building for Niger Delta youths.
He said the youths can be useful in the oil industry if they are exposed to training, as their excesses arose largely from illiteracy and unemployment.
The VP also expressed Government’s zero tolerance for corruption at all levels, saying “we are dealing decisively with the menace.”