By Dele Ogbodo
Mr. Stuart Symington, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, have called on INEC and every other stakeholder involved
in the election to ensure a level playing field for all the candidates contesting in the elections slated for between February 16 and March 2nd.
The disclosure was revealed in a broadcast on the official Twitter handle of the US on Tuesday called for free and fair polls.
According to him: “The elections are remarkable opportunity for Nigerians to come together and for all Nigerians to express their will. What the US hopes to see in your elections this year are elections that are free, fair and credible and above all, transparent.
“I know one thing, it is absolutely important for the citizens of Nigeria to personally take part, beginning right now by knowing what their rights are. On election day, you won’t have an effect unless you vote. It is important that you work together to make sure that your votes are counted…”
He advised all stakeholders supervising in the election to play an impartial role, adding: no security forces, no electoral officials, no politicians should seek to influence voters through vote buying that is inconsistent with the country’s electoral laws.
He however was optimistic that the 2019 elections will be more credible and acceptable than the 2015 elections.