DCM SPEECHES

Chargé d' Affaires Thomas P. Furey

Remarks

Opening session: IFES Seminar on Preventing Electoral Violence

June 27, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Abuja

 

Ladies and gentlemen: Good Evening.

Tonight's seminar on preventing electoral violence in Nigeria represents a critical step in the lead up to the 2007 elections. And so it is my great pleasure to be here tonight to highlight the U.S. Government's support for legitimate, credible and peaceful elections and the strengthening of democratic governance in Nigeria.

With the passage of the 2006 Electoral Act, the framework for the electoral process is now established and preparations for next year's elections are underway. But these preparations can be undermined, and the electoral process itself threatened, by violence. Electoral violence not only threatens the credibility of elections but damages the legitimacy of democratic institutions. It is unnecessary, unacceptable and illegal.

Electoral violence threatens the electoral process itself and strikes at the very heart of Nigeria's democracy. In doing so, electoral violence weakens two fundamental human rights: freedom of association and freedom of speech. With violence comes destruction of property and businesses, impacting on economic progress and development. And, most importantly, let us not forget the human toll. There is a West African proverb I have seen in many forms but it goes basically like this: When you throw a stone in the market place, it lands on your kinsman. Election violence affects everyone's family.

During the seminar, we will hear from those who have been affected personally by electoral violence. I hope these personal testimonies will give further impetus to the building of a national commitment to prevent electoral violence in the 2007 elections.

While the holding of peaceful elections is a challenge, it is certainly not an impossibility. Nigeria has a strong constituency for peace. From local-level initiatives to state-organized and regionally-organized efforts, individuals, organizations and government institutions are working tirelessly to develop a peaceful society.

I wish to recognize all of you here this evening who have made this your life's work - often at great sacrifice. It is encouraging that those engaged in the electoral process and those working in conflict resolution are meeting here together to develop strategies to prevent electoral violence. I trust that with the wealth of experience present here today, partnerships will be made to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria.

INEC has a critical role to play in preventing electoral violence. I hope that the findings and recommendations emerging from this seminar will help to inform INEC's ongoing efforts. A legitimate, credible, and peaceful electoral process strengthens political legitimacy and reduces the likelihood that Nigerians will go outside the established norms to achieve their objectives.

Political parties and candidates have a particular responsibility to ensure that these elections are peaceful. Violence should simply not be part of anyone's campaign strategy.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The American people are proud of their friendship with Nigeria and whole heartedly support its efforts to conduct peaceful and legitimate elections in 2007. As a measure of that support, we are proud to have supported this seminar conducted by IFES. We also recognize that all we can do is lend support as Nigerians take on this important task ahead of them.

It has been a pleasure to have this opportunity to reaffirm America's commitment to Nigeria and to the strengthening of its democratic governance. I wish you all much success in these deliberations.

Thank you.

 

 

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