Mary Leonard, the United States ambassador to Nigeria, has conveyed her confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct free, fair, and credible elections on February 25 for the presidential elections and March 11 for the general elections.
“Our confidence comes from the signing of the Electoral Act of 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari,” American ambassador Leonard had explained.
Additionally, she had urged political parties to adhere to their peace commitment and the September 2022 pledge to ensure a peaceful poll, while reiterating that the U.S. would keep backing Nigerian voters’ demand and desire for complete transparency and electoral integrity.
Mary Leonard then went on to stress that individuals who undermine the democratic process, including through violence, may be found ineligible for visas to the U.S. while pointing out that the American government had previously taken steps to restrict, deny or cancel visas.
Candidates were then and their loyal parties had also been urged to accept the fundamental probability that losing was always possible.
