The United States has called on participants in the Saturday governorship election in Ondo State to ensure a credible election that reflects the will of the people.
The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, in a statement issued on its Facebook page, urged stakeholders in the political process to work towards a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election in the state.
The US statement read:
The United States urges all stakeholders to continue to work toward free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Ondo State.
We reiterate our hope that all participants in the democratic process, including the INEC, political parties, and the security services, will take concrete steps to ensure a peaceful election that reflects the will of the people of Ondo.
The United States further said it remained committed to the US-Nigeria partnership as both countries work together to achieve their mutual goals of peace and prosperity for the citizens of both countries.
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Recall that the U.S, in the build up to the Edo State Election, threatened to bar individuals found to perpetrate electoral malpractices, violence, and other related offences. Many Nigerians attributed the peaceful conduct of the Edo election to the move by the U.S which was also adopted by the United Kingdom.
In a related development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pledged that the October 10 will be peaceful.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the commission will monitor the situation throughout the state, saying that it situation room will receive reports as events unfold at various polling unit.
He, however, assured residents of a credible, free and fair election.
