The United States of America President ,Joe Biden has admonished Nigerian political parties and its candidates to live up to their pledge of non-violence election as they go to poll on Saturday to elect the next president of the country.
Biden gave the advice in a statement on Thursday, on the Nigeria’s upcoming election.
While commending the peace accord, signed by the political parties and candidates running in presidential election on February 25, the US President disclosed that elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, adding that all Nigerians deserve the chance to choose their leaders freely and fairly.
Presidential candidates from 18 political parties were at the International Conference Centre in Abuja to sign a peace accord ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.
As maintained by Sahara Reporters,President Muhammadu Buhari was present at the event along with members of the National Peace Committee.
Some of the candidates in attendance include Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
The statement reads, “I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25.
“By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power.
“Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future freely and fairly.”
Reaffirming an earlier position of the US that it does not support any candidate or party, the President noted that “we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.”
Biden, however, encouraged the Nigerian electorate to come out on election day, no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity to exercise their fundamental freedom and make their voices heard- including young voters, many of whom he said may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.
“The United States stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future.
“I appreciate President Buhari’s firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected.
“And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge,” the statement adds.
