The United States says Nigeria’s
2019 general election and a peaceful transition in government remains its major
priority.
The US Department of State said
this during a briefing on the first trip of Rex Tillerson, US secretary of
state, to Africa.
It said the election is its
priority in view of the country’s strategic position in the African region.
The department expressed hope
that African countries currently with democratically elected governments will
not have transitions through undemocratic means.
“As we look at the 2019
elections, obviously Nigeria, though it’s not this year, that really is a major
priority focus, because that’s going to be the third most populous country in
the world by 2050,” the state department said.
“It has really very complex political
issues and ethnic, tribal and security issues.
“And that’s an area that we
really are focusing on; on how to do a peaceful and democratic transition.
“But more important is how to
hold governments accountable to the people.”
The US played a major role in the
2015 elections. John Kerry, former secretary of state, visited the country
shortly before the election.
He met with former President
Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari, who were the leading
candidates in the election.
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