The advocacy by Nigerians for a truly Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and credible general elections in 2019 has continued to intensified as the polls draw near.
Apparently worried that the elections to be conducted under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari might not be free and fair, a good governance civic group has already written President Donald Trump of the United States of America, praying him to ensure credible polls in Nigeria.
In an open letter made available to The Trent dated Wednesday, October 23, 2018 the group, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance (CAGG) said, ‘’credible election is sin qua non to sustainable democracy. Democracy cannot develop in an atmosphere of violence, electoral malpractices’’.
The letter which was signed by CAGG National Coordinator, Olusegun Bamgbose, a Lagos lawyer, added, ‘’we appreciate US government heroic contributions towards the smooth transition of power in 2015. The contributions were immense and inestimable. Nigeria is indeed indebted to US government.
‘’Mr. President we are counting to ensure that the 2019 General Election is a better one. We expect nothing but a credible election in Nigeria. Mr. President, it’s a fact to state that you are indeed a beneficiary of transparent and credible election and we expect you to use your good offices to ensure same in Nigeria.
‘’Perfect election may not be achievable, but with your support we look forward to peaceful elections in 2019. Our votes must count’’.
The rest of the letter went thus: ‘’We commend and appreciate your giant strides towards making America great again. Some may not really acknowledge, but in course of time, they will see the need to applaud your sincere determination to get this noble task accomplished. Mr. President knowledge acquired but not shared is a wasted one. It’s our earnest desire that you strategically impact your vast knowledge and experience towards uplifting developing countries.
‘’Our group, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG believes in the TEA principles of good governance, that is Transparency, Equity, Accountability. We equally believe in true democracy without external influence or interference, however Mr. President your Government interest in ensuring Transparent, Credible and Peaceful Election in Nigeria should not be perceived as interference in in our domestic affairs.
‘’The 2019 General Elections other things being equal, will be conducted early next year. Our group has deemed it noble and necessary to make this special appeal that US government support Nigerian government to ensure you peaceful elections.
‘’Credible election is sin qua non to sustainable democracy. Democracy cannot develop in an atmosphere of violence, electoral malpractices. We appreciate US government heroic contributions towards the smooth transition of power in 2015. The contributions were immense and inestimable.
‘’Nigeria is indeed indebted to US government. Mr. President we are counting to ensure that the 2019 General Election is a better one. We expect nothing but a credible election in Nigeria. Mr. President, it’s a fact to state that you are indeed a beneficiary of transparent and credible election and we expect you to use your good offices to ensure same in Nigeria. Perfect election may not be achievable, but with your support we look forward to peaceful elections in 2019. Our votes must count.
‘’Mr. President, we agree in principle and associate ourselves with John Bray, US Consular, that ‘Nigeria plays a vital role on the world stage and as the largest economy in Sub – Saharan Africa, Nigeria’ s stability is crucial to the security and economic prosperity of the rest of the continent
‘’Mr. President this is a faultless fact. Deepening of democracy has its foundation in credible elections. We are glad that your government has made it abundantly clear that you don’t have a preferred candidate. Actually we don’t expect you to direct us who to vote for, but we expect you to help in vetting the election process as to the credibility and transparency.
‘’We indeed have two major contestants, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar. We will expect that before the Presidential Elections in 2019, there will be need to interact with these two candidates either by sending your officials to come over to Nigeria to meet them or invite them over to America.
‘’Let me equally use this medium to inform you that unemployment is biting hard in Nigeria. It didn’t start with this government, however we need your experience to come to play having successfully tackled unemployment in USA.
‘’Crime will persist more where poverty prevails. Let me conclude by humbly inviting you to visit us in Nigeria. Barrack Obama never visited our country through out his 8 years in office. Mr. President we expect you to come over. We wish you the best in your noble task to make America great again.’’
