Blogger/UN Ambassador for Peace,Linda Ochagla attend US Post Peace Election Program at US Embassy in Abuja.

UPF Nigeria Ambassadors for Peace,Amb Linda Ochagla and I2 other Peace Ambassadors attend US Post Presidential Election Program at the US Embassy in Abuja

About 13 UPF Ambassadors for Peace in Nigeria attended the recently held U.S Post Presidential Election program organized by the US Embassy in Abuja among other invited participants. The program which was held on January 12, 2017 provided opportunities for some Nigerian observers including members of civil society, politicians and journalists to share their experiences and highlight the election process with key lessons for Nigeria.


Participants deliberated on several issues concerning the election after listening to presentations by panel of Nigerians who were sponsored by the US Embassy to serve as observers of the elections which took place in November 2016. Some of the core lessons of the elections for Nigeria were the need for transparency in the election process, adequate database of citizens, funding of election campaigns, involvement of citizens as volunteers in the electoral process as well as issue based campaigns and the several voting options provided to meet the diverse needs of the citizens.

One of the key issues that attracted diverse opinion was the electoral college system of the US election which led to the declaration of Donald Trump as President elect even when Hillary Clinton had more citizens vote at the last election. Participants called on INEC to begin preparation for the 2019 elections now and should try to diversify the voting options to consider the diverse needs of the electorates in Nigeria