2019 Elections: Don’t be bought, let your vote count, US tells Nigerians in broadcast

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has
asked Nigerians to exercise their franchise during the coming
general elections and ensure that their votes count.

Symington, in a broadcast published on the official Twitter
handle of the US on Tuesday, insisted that the elections must be
free, fair and credible.

While urging a level-playing field for candidates of political
parties, he said Nigerians must know their rights and make an
impact by voting.

He appealed to people in the country not to allow themselves to
be influenced by anyone during the elections.

He said, “The elections are a remarkable opportunity for all
Nigerians to come together and for every citizen to express their
will. What the United States hopes to see in your elections in this
year 2019 are elections that are free, fair, credible and above all
transparent. In this process, I know one thing: it is absolutely
important for the citizens of Nigeria to personally take part,
beginning right now by knowing what your rights are. On election
day, you won’t have an effect unless you vote. It’s important that
you work together to make sure that your votes are counted.

#NigeriaDecides2019: We look forward to
witnessing an electoral process that is transparent, credible,
free, fair, and peaceful. Election that reflects the true will of
the Nigerian people pic.twitter.com/3jYZG0VGUS^[1][2]

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USEmbassyAbuja) February
5, 2019^[3]

“As we get ready for your elections, one of the most important
things is that there is level-playing field, meaning that no
officials, no security forces, no electoral officials, no
politicians seek to influence you in a way that is not consistent
with Nigerian law.

“Elections are only one part of the democratic process. The
words and the actions that happen in these final days and all the
work of government afterwards, are as important to democracy as the
elections themselves.

“So, in a nutshell, know your rights. Two, Vote and exercise
them. Three, if you work for the government or for a party, make
sure you remember that it is your individual responsibility to act
consistently with the laws.

“And remember that elections are only one part of democracy. And
on this level-playing field, it is incredibly important that there
has to be a path for the future for every Nigerian. Whatever your
faith or language or where you come from, finding your path forward
together is the heart of democracy; it’s the heart of freedom. It’s
the hope for free enterprise and free people. And it’s Nigeria’s
future.”

He said he hopes that the 2019 elections are better than the
last elections.