Our interest is transparent, peaceful 2023 polls, says US consul general

Will Stevens, United States consul general, says Nigerian citizens must take responsibility to tackle corruption.

Stevens said this in Lagos at the International Anti-Corruption Day event organised by the Consulate in partnership with BudgIT with the theme, ‘whistle-blowing policy in Nigeria: the successes and challenges.’ 

According to the US consulate, Nigeria, like the US, is deeply affected by corruption.

Stevens said the US had worked closely with Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions to bring corrupt individuals to justice.

He added that the government would continuously support the cause of BudgIT to promote press freedom, access to information and freedom of expression.

“Corruption is a complex socio-political and economic phenomenon across the world. It affects all countries and undermines democratic institutions, and contributes to government’s instability. Tackling it is everyone’s responsibility,” he said. 

“Nigeria, like the United States, is deeply affected by corruption. In 2021, President Biden developed the US strategy to fight against corruption. It remains the core element of our national security.”

Speaking on the the forthcoming elections, Stevens said the US government was only interested in supporting a credible, transparent, and peaceful election that represented the will of Nigerians.

“Focusing on the upcoming elections in Nigeria, let me be very clear, the United States does not have a preferred candidate or party in the upcoming election.

“Our interest is in supporting credible, transparent, and peaceful elections that represent the will of Nigerians. We urged all Nigerians to reject violence and inflammatory rhetoric during and after election day.

“When we say all Nigerians, we mean it; politicians, students, religious leaders, traditional and community leaders and business organisations all have a role to play. Even a small number of troublemakers can cause substantial havoc during elections. It takes a comprehensive effort to eliminate violence and inflammatory rhetoric.”

On his part, Gabriel Okeowo, country director, BudgIT, lauded the effort of the US government to collaborate and fight corruption. 

He further said the organisation would continue to provide information to expose corrupt practices, even though corrupt individuals were devising new ways of fostering the business of corruption.

“We had thought that facilitating access to information and data, particularly that of Nigeria’s commonwealth would be the magic bullet, but creative minds innovate, the corrupt minds do creatively derive new ways of fostering the business of corruption,” Okeowo said. 

“Several organisations, development partners and governments of nations have supported government and civil society organisations to combat corruption. 

“I am particularly proud of the much support we have received from the United States consulate and other United States departments and agencies in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.”