Nigeria's more than 70 million voters will soon go to the polls to
choose their country's leader for the next four years. Whether the
victor is incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan or opposition challenger
Muhammadu Buhari is entirely for Nigerians to decide. Around the
globe, Nigeria's friends will be united in hoping that the vote will be
peaceful, transparent, and fair and that - win or lose - all sides will
respect the outcome.
There are good reasons why the international spotlight is firmly fixed
on Nigeria during this critical period and why we have come together to
support an open and credible electoral process. Nigeria is Africa's
largest democracy and what happens there will have an impact well beyond
its borders. A successful election, free from violence and with wide
participation, accurate vote counting, and responsible leadership from
the candidates would inspire the region and spur future progress and
prosperity. It would also be a historic show of support by Nigerians
for democratic values and an equally firm rejection of the brutal
terrorist group, Boko Haram, and others who advocate or perpetrate
violence.
As friends and democratic partners of Nigeria, we urge that the voting
for president and parliament go forward as scheduled on March 28; there
should be no further delay of this crucial vote. We are heartened by
the fact that Nigerians from across the political spectrum appear to
recognize the necessity of inaugurating a new president by the
constitutionally mandated deadline of May 29.
Obviously, we share Nigerians' concerns about violence, both related to
elections and more generally. In 2011, more than 800 people died in
post-election clashes, and a recent survey shows that half of Nigerians
are concerned about political intimidation this time around. The good
news is that President Jonathan and General Buhari have repeatedly and
publicly stressed their commitment to nonviolence before, during, and
after Election Day. Both candidates have affirmed their intent to act
solely through legal channels in pursuing any concerns that might arise
regarding the fairness of the vote. It is imperative that they - and
their backers - live up to this pledge. Elections should be decided at
the ballot box and, if necessary, in the courts; not through efforts to
coerce others. Respect for the constitutional process and the
independence of Nigeria's Independent National Election Commission,
INEC, is the right approach, and the only one that offers a sustainable
way to address Nigeria's many challenges.
The countries we represent, the United States and the United Kingdom,
strongly support the pledges articulated by the Nigerian candidates.
The elections must be decided in accordance with the rule of law. It
follows that any person who incites violence at any stage in the
electoral process, or who seeks power through unconstitutional means,
should be held accountable and should understand that the consequences
will be severe, both domestically and internationally.
After an election, it is natural to focus attention on the winner, but
in any democracy, the unsuccessful candidates also have critical roles
to play. No one expects any political leader to retreat from
firmly-held policy positions or beliefs, but a losing candidate owes it
to his or her country to acknowledge defeat as soon as the popular
verdict is clear, to urge supporters to accept the outcome, and to
advocate unity in the face of national threats. That is the kind of
leadership Nigeria needs.
A free, fair and peaceful presidential election does not guarantee a
successful democracy, but it is nevertheless an essential ingredient -
especially now in Nigeria. This is a country rich in resources and
blessed by a creative and dynamic population. Its leaders can be
extremely effective as evidenced by their swift action to prevent Ebola
from establishing a foothold in their nation - thus saving thousands of
lives. Overall economic growth rates are healthy and parts of the
country are doing well. And yet, Nigeria has been held back by local
tensions, a wide disparity between rich and poor, the lack of an
adequate safety net for the disadvantaged, shortages of electricity, a
rigid bureaucracy, and widespread corruption. These challenges have
made the country vulnerable to internal conflict including the
kidnappings, murders, and other atrocities perpetrated by Boko Haram.
Nigeria's next government will need the support of all its citizens to
address these challenges, and its unity will make it easier, on the
security side, for regional neighbors and the larger international
community to provide necessary help.
We urge all eligible Nigerians to vote, to resist those who attempt to
incite violence, and to come together as one country to defend against
terrorist threats and to build the shared prosperity and enduring
freedom their citizens deserve.
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