Tag: US Ambassador

  • 2023 Presidential Election Failed to Meet Expectations Nigerians – US Ambassador

    2023 Presidential Election Failed to Meet Expectations Nigerians – US Ambassador

    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has said that the presidential polls of February 25 failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    The ambassador acknowledged that many are angry and frustrated with the results, while some others are celebrating victories they believe were hard-fought and well-earned.

    She, however, commended Nigerians for demonstrating their dedication to democracy.

    Leonard, therefore, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to promptly address the challenges that can be resolved ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial elections and to undertake a broader review of the problems that transpired during the last elections and what can be done to fix them.

    In addition, she urged INEC to share with the Nigerian public information about the actions it is taking.

    She made this known in an op-ed, ‘The Elections of February 25.’

    She commended Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar for their commitment to take the legal path in contesting the presidential elections and also the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, for acknowledging their right to do so.

    The statement partly reads, “The people of Nigeria demonstrated their dedication to democracy on February 25, but there are many angry and frustrated Nigerians as well as many who are celebrating victories they believe were hard-fought and well-earned.

    “In the coming days, it will be important for the future of this country that Nigerians not let their differences divide them, and that the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election be allowed to take its course.”

    Leonard also admitted that as much as it can be unsatisfying to end an electoral process in a courtroom, in a constitutional democracy bound by the rule of law, that is where electoral conflicts may appropriately conclude.

    She noted that the Nigerian electoral landscape is ‘indisputably’ changing.

    With respect to the results from the presidential and National Assembly polls, she noted that “more than half of the states – 20 – the winning candidate represented a different party than that of the incumbent governor. Twelve of these states are led by APC governors.

    “For the first time, four presidential candidates won at least one state, and the top three each won 12 states based on these initial results.

    “In the National Assembly elections, even with results still incomplete, we already know that changes are afoot: seven sitting governors lost in their attempts to win election to the Assembly; the Labor Party has won at least seven seats in the Senate; the NNPP has won at least 11 seats in the House of Representatives.”

    She however assured that as “Nigeria goes through these next weeks and months, we stand with you.”

  • US Ambassador Visits Governor Lalong

    US Ambassador Visits Governor Lalong

    By Ugar Ukandi

    United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard has visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House, Rayfield Jos to reiterate the commitment of her country to supporting Plateau State in areas of health, peace, security and economy. 

    The Ambassador told Governor Lalong that she was in Plateau State for the Launch of the HIV Treatment Surge Light Campaign aimed at further reducing the burden of people living with the virus as well as preventing further infections. 

    She said the partnership between the United States Government through its agencies such as the USAID, APIN, PEPFAR will continue especially now that the world is dealing with other health challenges such as COVID-19. 

    She also assured the Governor that the United States will continue to deepen its support for peace building and dialogue in the State in support of the restoration of substantial peace in Plateau. 

    Governor Lalong appreciated the visit of the Ambassador to Plateau State which he said reaffirms the commitment of the United States to supporting various initiatives for development in the State. 

    He specifically thanked the United States for the support towards establishing the Plateau Peace Building Agency which has become a model in the country. 

    On HIV Aids, the Governor said a lot is being done to ensure that those infected have access to treatment while those who are not infected remain negative. 

    He assured Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard that the efforts of the US Government in tackling HIV and other diseases will not be allowed to waste as the State is making huge investments in hospitals, personnel and infrastructure. 

    He also told the Ambassador that Plateau State remains a viable investment destination for agriculture, tourism, solid minerals, technology and human capital development and said US investors are welcome. 

    Lalong said the delayed Plateau State Economic and Investment Summit which was halted by COVID-19 will still hold hopefully by the end of the year.