UNITED STATES PROMISE TO ASSIST NIGERIA DURING FEBRUARY ELECTION

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, on Monday promised that the US will stand on the front line to make sure that Nigeria succeeds in its February 2015 elections.
The US envoy made this known while speaking to Nigerian journalists on the need to refine and learn new techniques in election reporting, at a workshop entitled ‘Community Reporting for Building of Democratic Values in the Run-up to the 2015 general elections’.

Entwistle said that Nigeria has many friends and partners that want the country to succeed in its elections, and that the polls present a golden opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its lasting commitment to democratic values and institutions.

“The United States strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive, and nonviolent electoral process in Nigeria. We shall continue to call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting, or condoning violence before, during, or after the elections,” he said.
The envoy called on political parties and the government to make sure that all registered voters participate freely in a peaceful and transparent process, and to create an environment where this can be achieved.
Entwistle further pleaded with the nation’s political leaders, as well as those aspiring to various elective positions, to refrain from engaging in inflammatory rhetoric or from supporting acts of intimidation.
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The ambassador, speaking about how Nigerian journalists can ensure a free, fair, credible and non-violent election process, explained that covering an election was a great professional challenge for reporters.
“Journalists are expected to become experts who report on election rules, from how those rules govern the preparation of voter rolls to the tallying of final vote counts. Journalists in democracies have the vital task of reporting on the issues that voters want politicians to address, and helping to hold elected officials accountable for their campaign promises,” Entwiistle said.
He said journalists should understand that their readers, viewers, listeners and social-media followers are counting on them to render accurately and fairly the positions of the candidates and parties involved in the polls.
Entwiistle tasked the journalists with explaining clearly the details of policy issues to voters, so that voters can go to the ballot box with accurate information to enable them to choose between candidates.

“Good journalism, therefore is fundamental to an election process that protects the rights of all Nigerians to use the ballot box to reflect the views and concerns of their communities. Professional media are among the most powerful tools available to support a free, credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral process in which democratic principles are adhered to by all parties, candidates, and institutions. Your work carries a tremendous amount of responsibility, and the shape and outcome of the electoral process depend in very great measure on the good work you do. Nigeria’s friends and allies around the world also are deeply invested in helping to ensure that the 2015 elections are free, fair, peaceful, and credible. Throughout the electoral process, international audiences also will rely on you for timely, accurate, and insightful reporting that will reflect whether those goals are being met,” he said.
Meanwhile, ahead of the general elections in February, many prominent Nigerians have begun relocating their families outside Nigeria, fearing that outbursts of violence may accompany the elections.