2011: US Will Monitor Conduct Of Nigeria's Election - Envoy

KANO, Nov 24, (THEWILL) – United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Terence P. McCulley has reiterated the determination of the United States of America to monitor the conduct of the forthcoming 2011 general elections to ensure that it is conducted in accordance with democratic principles.

The Ambassador spoke today in Kano during a visit to state Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, at Kano Government House, where he said America is keenly following political developments and is determined to provide support to government and the electoral commission to ensure that the electoral process is transparent.

He added that the success of the elections lie in the hands of government and the electorate and hoped that the 2011 polls would be transparent and that the outcome would reflect the will of the electorate.

Ambassador McCulley told Shekarau that his visit to the state was part of his familiarization visit to northern states, as he assumed duty barely a month ago.

Responding, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau expressed delight that the US government has shown commitment and interest in Nigeria’s democratic process explaining that 90-95 per cent of the crises world over is as a result of loss of confidence in the process of deciding who is to governs.

"America as one of the mothers of democracy in the world has a role to play in providing guidance during the elections but it must be neutral during the process of conducting the elections but at the same time maintain its position as an observer and assessor" the governor said.

He further said Ambassador McCulley’s visit is a clear indication that the US government intends to assist Nigeria in the development of democracy.