Election 2011: Nigeria can’t afford to fail, says US envoy
Nigeria should turn a page on its tainted electoral record when it holds next year’s presidential vote, US Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero urged on Wednesday.
“The flawed elections in 2007 are something that we don’t want to see to be the order of the day,” she told a meeting of selected civil society groups in the capital Abuja.
Africa’s most populous nation goes to the polls next year to choose a president and state governors in elections the US expects to be “free, transparent and fair”.
“There is no question about that,” she said.
On Wednesday Otero, who is on a three-day visit, will alongside Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia, co-chair a US-Nigeria commission working group meeting.
The group is to discuss ways to create an environment for credible polls next year, progress and implementation of electoral reform, and boosting anti-corruption efforts.
The commission is part of a new strategic partnership to bolster bilateral ties on energy, regional security, good governance and a range of other issues.
Nigeria is the first African nation to be afforded such a status under the Barack Obama administration.
“The US will work with Nigeria by providing assistance and support to the government to meet the challenges of governance and allow Nigerians the unique opportunity to move forward,” she said.
Nigeria is attempting to implement wide-ranging reforms after the 2007 vote which the US has called “seriously flawed” and marred by “malfeasance and vote-rigging.”
The vote was also criticized by the opposition, as well as local and foreign observers, including the European Union.
New leader Goodluck Jonathan has promised that his government would do its best to stage a peaceful and violence-free electoral process next year.
“Being able to have another peaceful transition to civil rule is something we look forward to,” said Otero.
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