PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Ambassador John Campbell Concludes Kano Visit with Meetings with Emir of Kano Ado Bayero and a lecture on Nigeria's Elections

May 18, 2006

Abuja: The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell concluded a two-day visit to Kano State today Thursday, May 19, with a lecture on Nigeria's coming elections. During the visit, the Ambassador met with the Executive Governor of Kano State Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and also paid a courtesy call to the His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero.

In remarks at the lecture at the American Corner, Ambassador Campbell said the 2007 elections presents an opportunity for Nigeria to show it is ready to take its place on the world scene.

Using the American experience to underscore the importance of voter registration in the forth-coming 2007 elections, Ambassador Campbell said Nigerians need to register first in order to vote during the forth-coming elections. "Careful preparation for the elections should take into consideration every aspect of the election itself…At the very base of this framework is voter registration." He urged Nigerians to exercise their right to vote by first getting registered during the on-going voter registration exercise conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) nationwide.

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