By Agboola Bayo
Ibadan
United States of America Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, yesterday said his country was ready to help Nigeria to ensure free, fair and credible general elections.
Hawkins, who dropped this hint in Ibadan when he led a team of US Embassy officials to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on a courtesy visit to the governor’s office, declared that there was no going back on the US government’s commitment to making the election a huge success.
According to him, the position of the US as clearly stated recently by Secretary of State John Kerry that it was very important for the coming elections to be free, fair and credible remains unchanged and that the wish of Nigerians must count during the polls.
He said: “It is very important for this election to be peaceful. The poll should reflect the wishes of Nigerians. We look forward to a great contest where the people would get the leadership they desire.
“My Secretary of State had earlier stressed the need for free, fair and credible polls that would reflect the wishes of Nigerians. The US will continue to look for ways of helping our Nigerian partners to ensure a successful election.”
The envoy stressed that he and his team were in Oyo state to discuss issues relating to politics and governance “considering the fact that this is a critical period in the history of Nigeria.”
Receiving the US team, Governor Ajimobi urged governorship candidates in the state to eschew violence during the electioneering process, saying that he was set to maintain his pedigree of peace before, during and after the February general elections in the state.
He said: “Let me also use this opportunity to make a passionate plea to my fellow contestants to go about their campaign without violence. They should not unleash violence on the same people we are aspiring to govern, for whatever reason.”
He pointed out that he laboured hard to ensure the enthronement of the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state today, adding, “Our administration has received a lot of commendations for this feat and we cannot afford to sit by and allow anybody to truncate the hard-earned peace and tranquility.”
While lauding Hawkins and his team for the periodic visits and support to the state which had strengthened the ties between the US and the state culturally, socio-economically and politically, the governor commended the US for helping to nurture the country’s democracy, “the latest of which is the recent visit to Nigeria by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, on the forthcoming presidential election.”
Among those on the Consul-General’s team were the Political Chief, Mr. Tom Hines, and the Political Officer, Miss Erica Chiusano.
