Support
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Aug. 8, 2018 (NAN) Mr John Bray, the American Consular-General in Nigeria, has promised that his country will support the conduct of free, fair and credible governorship election in the state on Sept. 22.
Mr Sola Fasure, a media aide to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, said in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo that Bray made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the governor.
Bray, according to the statement, said the US would mobilise the required support to ensure the success of the gubernatorial election in the state.
He said the US government was keenly interested in the successful conduct of the gubernatorial election as part of efforts to strengthen the democratic culture in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Bray said as members of international election observers, US representatives had been in the state in the last two days as part of the pre-election visit to notable institutions and relevant agencies.
“Since our arrival, we have visited various institutions like civil society organisations, security agencies, political parties, traditional rulers and religious leaders among others.
“As part of our tradition of promoting and strengthening democracy, the United States is ready to provide support for the conduct of free, fair, credible and peaceful election on Sept. 22 in Osun and the general election in Nigeria next year.
“We are here to deepen democratic government in Nigeria by ensuring that all the elections in the country are devoid of violence and are acceptable to all and sundry,’’ the statement quoted Bray as saying.
He commended Aregbesola for creating an enabling environment and peaceful atmosphere for the residents of the state.
In his remarks, Aregbesola commended the American government for being the global vanguard of democratic culture and ethics.
He also lauded the US government for always demonstrating a high sense of commitment toward peace and political stability and the conduct of free, credible and transparent elections in the world.(NAN)
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)