Concerned about the uncertainties that may follow 2015
general elections in Nigeria, President Barack Obama has delegated Linda
Thomas-Greenfield, the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, to be
among those who will monitor the polls.
According to Leadership, Thomas-Greenfield will lead the country’s official diplomatic observation mission for Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections. She will also hold high-level bilateral meetings with Nigerian officials while in Abuja.
This is one of the examples of United States support for a credible, peaceful electoral process in Nigeria.
It is worth mentioning, that Ambassador John Campbell, a former United States envoy to Nigeria, has recently stated that the upcoming general elections could be a turning point for Africa.
Speaking in his latest article, which was posted on March 27, Campbell said that Nigeria would become a beacon of hope for the continent, where democratic roots remain shallow if the polls are free, fair, credible, and if the results are accepted by most of its citizens.
“If the results are not credible or if they exacerbate festering religious and ethnic tensions, the consequence could be violence and political uncertainty at home and erosion in the credibility of democratic practices throughout the continent.
“Instability in Nigeria could invigorate the Islamist insurgency Boko Haram. Post-election upheaval could trigger a larger humanitarian crisis, potentially drawing in foreign military and humanitarian organizations. The elections could follow either trajectory,” ambassador said.
Finishing his statement, Campbell stressed that election credibility must be the watchword, as Nigeria has never been so polarized or the major parties so suspicious of each other.
On March 28, Barack Obama sent a special message to Nigerians, urging a credible and peaceful polls. In a video posted on Youtube by US Embassy Nigeria, President Obama reminded the people about their struggle for the country’s independence from colonialism, the struggle against military dictatorship and the need to turn the country’s diversity into a source of strength.
According to Leadership, Thomas-Greenfield will lead the country’s official diplomatic observation mission for Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections. She will also hold high-level bilateral meetings with Nigerian officials while in Abuja.
It is worth mentioning, that Ambassador John Campbell, a former United States envoy to Nigeria, has recently stated that the upcoming general elections could be a turning point for Africa.
Speaking in his latest article, which was posted on March 27, Campbell said that Nigeria would become a beacon of hope for the continent, where democratic roots remain shallow if the polls are free, fair, credible, and if the results are accepted by most of its citizens.
“If the results are not credible or if they exacerbate festering religious and ethnic tensions, the consequence could be violence and political uncertainty at home and erosion in the credibility of democratic practices throughout the continent.
“Instability in Nigeria could invigorate the Islamist insurgency Boko Haram. Post-election upheaval could trigger a larger humanitarian crisis, potentially drawing in foreign military and humanitarian organizations. The elections could follow either trajectory,” ambassador said.
Finishing his statement, Campbell stressed that election credibility must be the watchword, as Nigeria has never been so polarized or the major parties so suspicious of each other.
On March 28, Barack Obama sent a special message to Nigerians, urging a credible and peaceful polls. In a video posted on Youtube by US Embassy Nigeria, President Obama reminded the people about their struggle for the country’s independence from colonialism, the struggle against military dictatorship and the need to turn the country’s diversity into a source of strength.
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