US to Nigeria: Develop sustainable democratic process

The United States of America on Tuesday called on Nigeria to develop sustainable democratic process towards the 2015 general elections.
Maria Brewer, the US Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, made the call at a two-day National stakeholder’s forum on Electoral Reform in Abuja.
Brewer explained that advancing democracy by strengthening democratic institutions had been the bedrock of the US foreign policy.
She said: “Under the umbrella of tour US Strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa, President Barack Obama has underscored the importance for Africa to develop and sustain prosperous democratic nations.
“The US considers itself a partner with Nigeria in ensuring credible elections in 2015.”
Brewer urged participants at the forum to address the country’s election administration and the role of the judiciary during the election process.
She also called on them to use the forum to build effective institutions that would ensure credible elections in 2015 and beyond.
According to her, the goal of the US is to help facilitate dialogue among Nigerian stakeholders in order to establish a mutually accepted foundation for implementing meaningful reforms.
She observed that beyond the forum, the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission was another avenue for both countries to jointly discuss issues such as good governance, transparency and integrity.
She added: “The purpose of the commission is to increase our cooperation in the area of good governance.
“The agreement states that the US and Nigeria will support progress on electoral and election preparations to achieve credible, free, fair and peaceful elections.”
Brewer added that the US had also agreed to build Nigeria’s institutional capacity to fight corruption through improved prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of offenders.
Earlier, Senator Ken Nnamani, the Chairman, Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, said that the forum would facilitate a frank and constructive dialogue on the electoral process.
Nnamani observed that it was important for the country to pay attention to the improvement of legal and administrative frameworks for the 2015 elections.
“The current highly charged atmosphere of our polity requires that we give serious consideration to the legal and administrative electoral reforms that will make 2015 elections acceptable,” Nnamani said.
He stressed that the 2015 general elections would be directly proportional to the country’s stability, democratic growth, development and positive international image.
Nnamani urged participants to be focused, to enable them understand the importance and necessity of the legal and administrative electoral reforms for the 2015 elections.
He stressed the need for the country to strive to complete specific legal and administrative electoral reforms before August.
Nnamani also said that the Independent National Electoral Commission should be adequately funded to enable it deliver on its mandate of conducting credible elections.
He also urged the National Assembly to pass the 2014 Appropriation Act in good time.
He called on political parties to respect and adhere strictly to the provisions of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended in the conduct of its candidates’ nomination processes.
He said: “This will forestall the plethora of court cases that usually arise from undemocratic party conventions.
“These cases continue to constitute huge distraction for the electoral process.”
Nnamani also urged the judiciary to give accelerated hearing to electoral cases.