United States has said its deeply troubled by disturbing acts of violent, voter intimidation suppression that took place during the Guber and State House of Assembly polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.
In a statement released by US Mission in Nigeria on Tuesday, while reacting to the second round of Nigeria’s electoral process with gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18.
United States stated that the members of its diplomatic mission who observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.
“The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning’, the United States emphasized.
While commending Nigerian political actors, religious community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirmed Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.
United States called on Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.
“The United States likewise will consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria” it said.
Following the February 25 national elections, the United States joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round.
United States confirmed that the March 18 elections appear to have had significant operational improvements, stating that polling stations generally opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner.
The United States renewed its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.
“We further call for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy.