Adelani Adepegba, Abuja

The United States of America has congratulated Nigerian youths over the signing into law of the #NotTooYoungToRun bill by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja in a tweet said America supports a free, fair and inclusive political process in Nigeria.

“Congratulations to Nigerian youths as @NGRPresident @MBuhari signs #NotTooYoungToRun bill into law. The U.S. supports a free, fair, and inclusive political process in Nigeria that includes the voices of young people, women, and the disabled,” the tweet read.

Congratulations to Nigerian youths as @NGRPresident @MBuhari signs #NotTooYoungToRun bill into law. The U.S. supports a free, fair, and inclusive political process in Nigeria that includes the voices of young people, women, and the disabled.

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USEmbassyAbuja) May 31, 2018

The U.S. has also congratulated the country on its 19 years of unbroken civilian rule.

It noted that in Nigeria, as in so many countries, the right for all citizens to enjoy equal participation in the democratic process was achieved after considerable struggle and suffering.

The U.S. Mission said in a statement, “The struggle to achieve democracy gives it a special value and places responsibility on all of us to support the democratic process.

“We congratulate Nigeria on its progress since 1999, including the first peaceful transition of power from a ruling party to an opposition party in 2015.

“As we celebrate your progress, we encourage and support Nigeria and its people to consolidate and deepen democracy as the country heads towards important elections next year.”