US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has commented on the February 25 presidential elections in Nigeria, saying they did not meet the expectations of Nigerians.
In an op-ed titled ‘The Elections of February 25’, Leonard acknowledged that many Nigerians were angry and frustrated with the election results. However, she commended Nigerians for demonstrating their commitment to democracy.
The ambassador urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address challenges that can be resolved ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial elections, as well as undertake a broader review of the issues that occurred during the last elections.
Leonard also praised Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar for their commitment to pursuing legal action, while also acknowledging the right of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to contest the elections.
She urged Nigerians to not let their differences divide them and to allow the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election to take its course.
Leonard noted that Nigeria’s electoral landscape is changing and called on INEC to share information about the actions it is taking to the Nigerian public.
