Molly Phee, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, says her country has no preferred candidate in Nigeria’s general election.

Ms Phee stated this when she visited the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, in his office on Monday in Abuja.

She expressed confidence that the general election would be hitch-free and successful.

“Every vote counts and Nigerians should have confidence in their electoral process. Thanks to the excellent work of INEC,” she said.

Ms Phee said that although the U.S. had no preferred candidate in the election, it would back the processes toward a credible poll.

She said that the U.S. highly valued its partnership with Nigeria.

“We are both diverse democracies, and we want to encourage a successful election that is free and fair and peaceful, and I’m happy to say that I have great confidence that you will have a successful election.

“Since 1999, Nigeria has been moving up in solidifying and consolidating its democratic trajectory.

“And now, with INEC under the leadership of the chairman, and the support of his superb team, all Nigerians can have confidence in the integrity of the upcoming election,” she said.

She stressed that she was proud of the U.S. contribution in helping the commission address some challenges and advised Nigerians to ensure peace in the country before, during and after the election.

“I do want to emphasise that every citizen, every stakeholder, every party involved in the election has a responsibility before the election, during the campaign period, during the election and after the election, to be peaceful,’’ Ms Phee said.

In his remarks, Mr Yakubu re-stated INEC’s commitment to a free, fair and credible election that would uphold the people’s will as expressed in the poll.

“Like the United States, INEC is only interested in the process. The commission is not a political party. We have no candidates in the election.

“We only focus on the process; the choice ultimately belongs to the people of Nigeria. The commission will uphold the choice made by Nigerians,” he said.

(NAN)