2019 polls: U.S. hails presidential candidates, parties for signing peace accord

 American President, Mr. Donald Trump

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The United States has hailed presidential candidates and parties who have signed the Peace Accord for the 2019 Presidential elections in Nigeria describing it as a great step towards the goal shared by all Nigerians of national elections that are free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful.

In a statement released by Information Office of Public Affairs Section of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in Abuja, it stated the United States warmly congratulates the presidential candidates and parties who have signed the Peace Accord for the 2019 Presidential elections.

It also congratulated all those advocates for Peace and Democracy who have worked together to achieve this important result.

According to the statement, “Your Peace Accord is a great step towards the goal shared by all Nigerians of national elections that are free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful.

“Achieving your goal is critical to the credibility and effectiveness of the next government, and it is essential to advance Nigeria’s unity, prosperity, justice, and security.

“In 2015, an identically worded Peace Accord played a vital role in a democratic electoral process. We expect all parties and leaders to ensure that this new Accord will be honored just as faithfully and therefore have an equally positive effect on the 2019 election.

“We note that, for elections to be free and fair in 2019, the campaign period already underway must itself go forward on a level playing field and be a fair and transparent process.

“Campaigns enriched by positive ideas and actions will unite Nigerians in a common democratic debate, even as they differ by advocating for competing candidates”.

The statement urged all Nigerian candidates, party members, civil society groups and citizens to speak out for policies that advance the good of all Nigerians and speak out against violence, misinformation, and hate speech.

It concluded by reiterating their strong support for the Independent National Elections Commission (INEC), and for all those Nigerian citizens, public servants, and civil society organizations who will together facilitate peaceful, credible, and transparent elections.