It also warned politicians against unguarded statements that could jeopardise the forthcoming polls, adding that the February election is another golden opportunity for Nigeria to show its commitment to democratic values and institutions.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, stated this during the opening of a week-long training for Nigerian journalists, preparatory to the 2015 general elections in Kaduna on Monday.
The envoy insisted that the government should ensure that all registered voters were able to participate freely as the US would strongly support a free and credible election.
He said there was no doubt that the February elections present the country with another golden opportunity to demonstrate a lasting commitment to democratic values and institutions.
Entwistle warned that political leaders and politicians generally must refrain from making inflammatory statements capable of promoting violence before, during and after the general elections.
He said, “Just 33 days from today, the 2015 general elections will begin. These elections present a golden opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its lasting commitment to democratic values and institutions.
“The United States strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive and non-violent electoral process.
“We therefore continue to call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting or condoning violence before, during or after the elections.
“We urge political parties and the government to ensure that all registered voters are able to participate freely in a peaceful and transparent process.
“In order to create an environment where that can happen, Nigeria’s political leadership and all those who aspire to lead must refrain from engaging in inflammatory rhetoric or supporting acts of intimidation.
“Let me reiterate that, the United States stands with Nigeria as you continue on the democratic path. We do so as your friend and partner. You have many friends and partners who want Nigeria to succeed, and the United States stands at the front of that line.”
The envoy tasked the Nigerian media to report issues that voters would want politicians to address and help the electorate to hold the elected officials accountable for their campaign promises.
The National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mohammed Garba, while speaking at the workshop with the theme, “Community Reporting for Building of Democratic Values in the Run-up to 2015 General Election,” said the 2015 election was of importance to journalists in the country.
This, he said, was because the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999 was a credit to the efforts of the media and the civil society organisations in the country.
Garba said, “Through this role, we are seen as gatekeepers who determine which news material to disseminate especially against the background of the myriads of available materials. We mirror for the society to view itself while also influencing social realities.
“Because the pillar of national integrity system has been severally weakened by unprecedented corruption, the mass media must liberate itself in order to be effective in promoting democratic values and cultures.
“This reinforces the need for workshop like this one today to enable journalists to appreciate their roles in promoting and sustaining democracy.”
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