The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard has called on Nigerians to take responsibility and interest in democracy and governance beyond election season and the day of election.
Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard who made call while speaking to journalists in Abuja on the forthcoming elections, said the United States was so much interested on its peaceful conduct, how democratic rules are allowed for the emergence of popular candidate.
“One of the culture of politics is for the electorate to know that their relationship with government should not be only during the time of elections alone, it should not be about the voting day but while in office. After you have casted your votes and someone has made it into office, people have the obligation to follow up with those office holders and tell them that I voted for you because I want these, like I want a better education in my state, I want better access to health care, environment that enables my business activities. It is important to know that democracy is not about elections but about a conversation between the citizenry and their government, about how they work together to ensure prosperity and engagement. I think in every society it evolves over time. And I think there is room for that conversation to grow further in Nigeria,” she said.
The Ambassador explained that all Nigerians have a role to play in the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections, insisting that for the elections to be hitch-free this responsibility cannot be left for security agencies in the country alone.
“Conducting a peaceful election is not about the signing of a peace treating and it is not only the responsibility of the security agencies, it is the responsibility of every Nigerian voter, every Nigerian citizen, people in government, people in INEC, everyone has a role but in particular individual Nigerian has a responsibility to eschew violence. Politicians are allowed to disagree with one another on the issues they are supposed to, that is what election is about. But debates should be in an atmosphere of peace,” she explained
Ambassador Leonard commended the level of democratic growth in Nigeria.
“Since the inception of the present democratic experiment in 1999, democracy has grown in Nigeria and everyone is now at home with basic democratic tenets. The physical aspect of the election has grown but that is however just one part, insisting that all parts of the democratic culture need to be imbibed and allowed to grow” she noted.
Women in Politics
She stressed need of women participation in politics.
“I looks forward to more women participation in politics, it would be a good narrative for Nigeria’s democracy when half of her population, the women are seen to have equal opportunities as men to aspire and be voted into political offices”.
Leonard who commanded Nigeria’s respect for democracy term limits unlike other African countries, reiterated US commitment to working with whoever leader Nigerians choose as their president as Nigeria is one of the cherished friend of United States.
Confidence Okwuchi
