2023 Election: US Urges Nigerian Youths to Make Their Voices Heard 

The United States has charged Nigerian youths to exercise their fundamental freedom and make their voices heard in the forthcoming 2023 presidential and national assembly elections. This was conveyed in a statement issued by the US Consulate General.

In the statement from President Joe Biden, the US government insisted that it had no preferred presidential candidate. Biden also expressed delight at the peace accord signed by the participating political parties and their presidential candidates on February 22.

Biden explained that the intentionality of political parties to sign the peace pact shows that the party and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It also means that they will ensure that the country witnesses a peaceful transition of power.

The US President further noted that elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve the chance to choose their future freely and fairly. 

Biden encourages Nigerians to vote

According to the statement, Biden charged all Nigerians to exercise their fundamental freedom, irrespective of religion, region and ethnicity. He also addressed young voters, “many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time, to make their voices heard.”

Furthermore, Biden appreciated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensuring that the will of the people is respected. He noted that his government stands with Nigerians as they chart a path towards a more democratic, prosperous and secure future. 

Biden encouraged voters to exercise patience and remain peaceful as their ballots are tallied. He also urged political parties to live up to their pledges. His statement comes hours after his country’s representatives, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken; the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator, Samantha Power, said Nigeria’s 2023 general elections slated for February 25 and March 11 are not only important to the survival of Nigerians but also matter to the rest of the world.