The United States Vice President, Mr. Joe Biden, yesterday had telephone conversations with President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) where he expressed his country’s support to Nigeria in making the rescheduled 2015 general election credible and peaceful.
The US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, which made this known in a press statement issued in Abuja said Mr. Biden expressed the support of Washington for the use of card readers by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the elections.
While expressing “concern” over recent political violence in the country, he “reiterated” the need for Jonathan, who is the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to repudiate every acts of violence.
The full text of the statement reads: “U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke yesterday with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the Nigerian presidential election, which is scheduled for March 28.
“The Vice President commended President Jonathan and General Buhari for signing the Abuja Accord in mid-January as a show of their commitment to non-violence throughout the election process.
“The Vice President further expressed the United States’ support for the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission and its work to deliver free, fair, and credible elections, in part through its essential efforts to distribute Permanent Voter Cards and help ensure that electronic voter card readers are in place and fully operational.
“He also noted his concern about the violence during some recent election-related events and reiterated the need for both candidates to make clear that such violence has no place in democratic elections.
“Vice President Biden affirmed that the United States stands with the Nigerian people in support of credible and peaceful elections, and will continue to stand with the Nigerian people whatever the outcome.”
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