BY  GBENGA ARIYIBI

ADO EKITI—THE United States Consular  General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins has  told the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission to be thorough with Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections, saying the two polls  are critical to the success of the 2015 general elections.

According to the consul, the United States is more than determined to help Nigeria overcome all challenges to ensure the success of the 2015 polls.
Hawkins reminded INEC  to put its house in order and tighten all loose ends to ensure that the best elections are witnessed in the two sister states.

Speaking at an interactive session with the newsmen in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, the US Consular General, lauded the Federal Government’s efforts, particularly the deployment of military to engage the sects, saying the war against terrorism  is a must-win for the country for security of lives and property.

He expressed his dismay over the senseless killings of innocent children in Yobe State by Boko Haram, saying the activities of the  Islamic sect  may mar the conduct of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria if not put at its abeyance.

He said the US has given a staggering sum of 15 million dollars to Nigerian government  to strengthen the electoral process, expressing hope that the 2015 elections will mark the watershed of credible election in Nigeria.
He warned  politicians against  fomenting violence in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

According to him; “Nigeria is a great country and it is strategic in African continent. We are not only providing fund to help the country, but we  are going to help in the technical aspects for the 2015 elections to be a success.
“We have strong relationship with the Prof. Jega-led INEC. We are not only having diplomatic relationship with the Nigerian government, we are also partnering in the areas of good governance and good electoral system.”

On the poor INEC outings in Anambra governorship poll, Mr. Hawkins, said: “Prof. Jega had come out openly to own up that the commission had made mistakes. But with what he said when we met with him on the 2015 election, he seems determined to give Nigerians credible elections.”