Tina Amanda
The United States Consulate in Nigeria has assured Nigerians of its commitment to a free, fair and peaceful election come 2019.
Public Affairs officer of the United States Consulate in Nigeria, Russell Brook, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists at the NUJ press centre in Port Harcourt.
He said the consulate has been providing assistance to INEC and is working with stakeholders and groups to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections.
“My priority with the United State agency for development, we have been working very hard with civil societies groups in Nigeria to observe the bye-elections in Ekiti state and to prepare for the upcoming election in February 2019.
“We have also carried out campaigns to discourage violent actions that will be connected to the forthcoming election.
“Virtually the US consulate has done a tremendous amount of work just as we did in 2015. We want elections in Nigeria to reflect the expectations of the people, we are giving the civil societies the support they need in order to play their role to a successful and peaceful election‘’
He further urged political leaders in all the political zones to come together and work towards the progress of the nation irrespective of their political party.
On his part, Chairman, National Union of Journalist, Rivers state Chapter, Stanley Job, called for adequate protection for journalists on election duties.
“the United State is also in support of what we have been preaching that journalists are supposed to be protected anywhere they found themselves, be it in a war situation.
“Journalists are there to report events as they happen, but due to the fact that some politicians are involved in some nasty things and when journalists want to bring it to the notice of the public, they begin to panic and send their thugs after the journalists.
“These acts are not done anywhere in the world except Nigeria. If politicians do the right things, they will not be afraid of journalists” he added
