The United States yesterday shed light on why Nigeria must get it right in the 2019 general election, stating categorically that if the country fails to conduct credible polls, the democratic process in Africa might fail.

Specifically, the US government said it was interested in the democratic process in Nigeria because of the country’s strategic nature of being the largest population and economy in Africa.

Speaking after a dinner with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu, at the US Ambassador’s residence, the US assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Ambassador Tibor P. Nagy (Jr), said Nigeria must serve as an example to the African continent.

“The state should be neutral,” Tibor said, referring to the Nigerian government, even as he added that “US views the election as very important”.

“Nigeria has the largest population and economy. They should be an example of how elections should be conducted,” he said.

Noting that the US government knows the difficulties the electoral umpire might be facing, Tibor stated, however, that America also knows that INEC is up to the task.

“We heard him,” Tibor said, referring to the discussion they had with INEC chairman during the dinner.

While calling political parties to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the elections, Tibor said all political parties and candidates must advise their followers to be non-violent.

“We thank you for the difficult work you are doing,” the assistant secretary of state told The INEC boss, just as he observed that each election had its own criteria for assessments.

He explained that the frequent statements issued by the US government about Nigeria’s 2019 general election only seek a transparent process.

“Election is not about the election day. It’s like preparing for a feast”, Tibor said, adding that critical elements must be addressed to get a credible election.

He further said the US government had been involved in the electoral process in Nigeria, with particular interest in the transparency.

On his part, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, said America had a candidate in every election in the world.

“The transparent process is our candidate,” Stuart said, referring to that country’s involvement in the Nigeria’s elections, which he described as critical and important.

“What happens to Nigeria is significant to Africa and the world. That is why we have been organising meetings with the Nigerian officials,” he said.

According to Stuart, Nigeria is coming up democratically, which is why US cares so much about the country.

“We care so much about Nigeria,” the ambassador said, adding that during a visit to one of the states in Nigeria, he was impressed that the voter register was displayed for all Nigerians to see.

In his response, the INEC chairman, Yakubu, assured the US envoy that the commission would improve on the conduct of the 2015 general election.

“INEC is pleased with what the US is doing because they are the first, while Nigeria is second largest in democracy. This (2019 polls) will be an affirmation. We have 99 days to the general election. The election will be fair and credible,” Yakubu said, adding that the commission would follow all the processes.

On what the commission had put in place to ensure credible elections, Yakubu said since his appointment as INEC chairman, he had conducted over 190 elections.

According to him, the electoral process had improved both in transparency, planning and logistics, adding that INEC was committed to protecting the integrity of the election process.

We’ll Witness Great Rebirth After Elections – PMB

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that Nigeria will come out of the 2019 general election stronger.

According to the president, the nation had been able to weather the storm over the years only because of God’s intervention.

Buhari, who spoke at the annual breakfast prayer session organised by the National Assembly Christian legislators’ prayer breakfast fellowship, said in spite of doomsday prophesies, the country is tackling its problems and becoming more prosperous.

He pointed out that while doomsday prophets had prophesied that the country would plunge into crisis, the Nigeria would witness a great rebirth in 2019, especially after the polls, which many unpatriotic critics had predicted would be crisis-ridden.

The president who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, noted that God was with Nigeria, which is why the country is pushing ahead despite her several problems.

“God is with Nigeria. 2019 shall bring in a new Nigeria. God will answer our prayers as we look unto him”, the president prayed.

He assured that his administration will continue to promote peace and ensure good governance, adding that with God’s continued blessing upon the country, Nigeria shall witness better days in her political and economic life.

According to him, the hope for the rebirth of a new nation in Nigeria can only be realised when people in highly placed positions eschew divisive tendencies for overall national interest.

He said as leader of the nation, he always seeks the intervention of God Almighty for Nigeria in all spheres of her national life.

President Buhari also called on Christian lawmakers and other leaders to always embrace unity in all ramifications, noting that it would give birth to a new Nigerian nation.

In his goodwill message at the occasion, Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said that Nigeria can overcome her numerous challenges through constant prayers.

Dogara stated that through collective prayers, Nigerians can change the narrative and the destiny of the country.

In his sermon, the guest speaker, Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, said that God is at the verge of raising godly leaders for the country.

Drawing inspiration and reference from biblical quotations, particularly Isaiah 40:46, Jeremiah 33:25, 2nd Chronicles 20:35-37 and Joshua 10:1-9, he said political leaders must desist from making uncomplimentary statements about the polity.

The cleric noted that the 2019 general election would spring surprises for the nation, as God is going to use his divine mantle to select good and godly leaders for the nation.

Hope the intended receiver has received this message well

I hope INEC is really listening.

Nigeria has long failed, and so did Africa. What they are doing is just patchwork

Atiku and PDP satanic supporters should noted.

It has already failed, reason why we are trying to rescue her from further destruction by these locusts.

but IPOB sais the zoo must fall.....

johnmartus:
Atiku and PDP satanic supporters should noted.

This one can’t read between the lines, bro please wake up to reality

As it is said 'FREE & FAIR' I hope Bubu has his Paleto Radio on before he claims its 'RIG & FREE'

Nigeria is already on the speed lane to failure

The message I clearly for Buhari ..any result outside Buharis defeat will mean Dmocracy has failed in Africa

Nigeria has already failed.Nigeria has Every characteristics of a failed state and some extra... Yea the dumb population who keep living a 'One Nigeria' Lie.

http://www.naijaloop.com/prince-charles-stuns-biafrans-with-clear-pictorial-message-as-he-wraps-up-visit-to-his-former-colonies/

Ziggylady:



Nigeria is already on the speed lane to failure

Actually yes. The country is already in shambles and i we cannot get it right next year, us and the generation unborn will suffer for it. I don't just know why youths can't just rally round a young person to become the next president o Nigeria and take us all out from these loop holes and propel us to greatness.

OreMI22:

Look at Ghana today is preferred investment destination in West Africa. Where is Nigeria with all it's resources for Ghana to take the #1 position?

Nigeria is gone unless God blesses us with a good leader that can unite the country, and everybody knows the fact

Just because you make stupid statements in public and your sore ego, feels slightly soothed does not mean you made any sense nor does it show you made a good decision.

It just means it made you and you alone feel better. I strongly doubt, you thought of anything else except your "unremarkable life" as you typed.

You cant get far in life with an short attention span and an interest in populism and sensationalism.

Lazy Nigerian

Africa is poor because of Nigeria

The African continent has lagged behind in most facets of human development because its largest country, Nigeria, has remained in poverty due to fraudulent activities in public service, a leading anti-corruption campaigner said on Tuesday.

Patrick Lumumba, a former Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, said Nigerian leaders must do everything within their capacity to address endemic graft. This, he said, would refocus Africa on the path towards prosperity.

“Africa is behind because Nigeria has not realized her potential. It’s time the leaders rise up because one in every five Africans is a Nigerian.”

Mr. Lumumba spoke at the two-day anti-corruption summit which began this Tuesday at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja.

The program is put together by the National Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

Mr. Lumumba, during the keynote speech, said it is time for Nigeria, and Africa as a whole, to abandon the culture of “punishing small thieves and electing big ones.”

Mr. Lumumba, a professor of law, said Nigeria is a microcosm of Africa and, as such, cannot afford to keep getting it wrong.

“Behavioural change culture must be instilled in Nigeria,” Mr. Lumumba said.

He said Nigeria must put in place stringent mechanism that would effectively caution against corruption.

The three arms of government must strengthen and not undermine the institutions that are meant to fight corruption so that Nigeria can realise its potential, Mr. Lumumba said.


“People must be made to know that if you reap where you have not sown there are consequences. Men only change their behaviours when there is a threat pain.”

The don called for a wholesome support for President Muhammadu Buhari in his war against corruption, especially on the need to build lasting institutions.

“Institutions are the heart of the fight against corruption but he will not succeed if the legislature is not behind him and the institutions are not strengthened.

“Because only institutions defy time and outlive those that live on graft.

Mr. Saraki, in his opening remarks, said Nigeria had failed to seriously fight against corruption for more than 40 years.

Source: premiumtimesng

johnmartus:
Atiku and PDP satanic supporters should noted.

Lol. is APC not demonic? we should get rid of those two political parties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wisrt8Cezf0

''If Nigeria Fails, Africa Has Failed''