“We strongly support a peaceful election that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria because free and fair elections in Nigeria help create a freer and fairer world for everyone.”
By Emma Ogbuehi
In an unprecedented diplomatic move, top U.S. government officials, including the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, have called on Nigerians to ensure that the elections remain free, fair and credible.
The video was sent to TheNiche by the U.S. embassy in Nigeria.
The U.S. officials noted that like the U.S. constitution, Nigeria’s constitution starts with a simple and profound idea of “We the People.”
They, therefore, urged that with the elections, the people have the choice to make their voices heard, to choose their future.
The 58 seconds video also featured Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, and Samantha Power, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator.
USAID is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
The three officials said the U.S. does not support any individual candidate for office but stated unequivocally, “But we strongly support a peaceful election that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria because free and fair elections in Nigeria help create a freer and fairer world for everyone.”
The officials went on to say that: “Your vote matters, this election matters – not only to Nigerians but to the rest of the world. We are invested in your success, our shared democratic futures depend on it.
“Go to INECNigeria.org to prepare to vote because your voice matters. The Nigerian people have a friend and partner in the United States of America.”