ANAMBRA ELECTION: US AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA,LEONARD TASKS INEC,SECURITY AGENCIES,OTHERS ON PROFESSIONALISM.{PHOTO}.

United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard said this Saturday's governorship election in Anambra State provides another opportunity for Ndi-Anambra to shape their future by electing a leader that will be responsive to their yearnings.

She called on relevant stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security agencies to be professional in their conducts to guarantee successful conduct of the exercise.

Correspondent Joseph Egbeocha reports that while speaking today, 3rd October 2021 on ABS radio program, “Nzuko Anambra”, Ambassador Leonard said as friend of Nigeria, the US is interested in the conduct of the Anambra governorship election, expressing hope that party faithful, INEC officials will be free from all forms of intimidation before, during and after the exercise.

She said how objective INEC is, impartiality of security agencies, freedom of press on activities going on, and freedom of voters to exercise their franchise are determinants of free and fair election, urging security agencies to provide enabling environment for Ndi-Anambra to elect their leader.

While encouraging Ndi-Anambra to be peaceful while participating in the Saturday’s electiin, the US Ambassador, who maintained that the US will continue to promote good governance and strengthen democracy in Nigeria by supporting free and fair election, organising civic engagements among women, youths and the physically challenged, as well as building capacity of the electoral body, among other things, said there are consequences for individuals who contribute in undermining Nigerian democratic process.