Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has urged Nigerians not to vote based on promises but on the record of those making promises.
Symington said this in a video while wishing Nigerians a Merry Christmas.
He urged Nigerians to remember that their future is in their hands and no foreign power can solve their problems but all solutions can only come from within.
The US ambassador said, “As you go into 2019 you will be facing a new round of elections. What you do in those elections would be crucial not just for you but for all of us. And as you get ready, I ask you to think of three things.
“First, charge your potential leaders with this notion: Say not just what you say you will do for the country but what have you already done. Second, it is incredibly important that you recognise that in a democracy, it is you who gets to make the decision.”
Symington urged Nigerians to guard their Permanent Voter Cards and not sell it.
The US envoy urged Nigerians to report any anomalies on election day, adding that the task of improving democracy is a collective one.
He said, “On election day and every day, the citizens of Nigeria are the ones that lead this country so take good care of your voter cards, make sure no one convinces you to either give it to them or sell it to them and on election day.
“I hope you will vote and I hope you will vote for people who don’t just say the right thing but people who you are convinced based on their records will do the right thing for you and for others.”
Symington praised the many Nigerians who had in one way or the other contributed to the development of the nation.
He specifically praised 83-year-old Imam of Nghar village, Gashish District in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, who saved about 300 persons on June 24 when suspected herdsmen invaded about 15 communities in the Barkin Ladi LGA, killing over 200 persons.
