US calls for free and fair governorship election in Bayelsa

The United States (US) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and transparent governorship election in Bayelsa state on November 11, 2023.

The US Consulate-General in Nigeria made this call during the recent visit of Chief Mike Ervin from its Political Economic Section to Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa as they monitor activities in the state ahead of the governorship poll.

Ervin further emphasised the need for a transparent gubernatorial election in Bayelsa and said that he expects the process to be peaceful and credible.

Ervin said the delegation was in the state to monitor the activities because the United States was a partner of the Nigerian government.

“As you well know, the United States is a fundamental partner of the Nigerian government in the conduct of elections,” he said.

“We are friends, and we learn from one another when it comes to democracy and how it can thrive. We are also here to see how Bayelsa is experiencing democracy at work.

“We want to know how things are going in your state and to also give you our good wishes for a peaceful election. We expect that the democratic process will reflect the will of the people on November 11.

“We will continue to be partners of INEC, and we look forward to a very healthy democratic day in a number of weeks.”

Responding, the governor of Bayelsa state Douye Diri said his administration was open to partnering with the international community to advance democracy through a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

“I believe that your coming will motivate us and add to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria and in our state,” Diri said.

“My government is of the Peoples Democratic Party, and our key opponents are from the APC and the Labour Party. Of course, there are other parties.

“Like you rightly said, the will of the people should prevail, and they should be able to elect who they want.”