- Demand punishment for complicit individuals, groups
- Threaten additional visa restrictions on culprits
The United States (US) government has slammed the March 18 gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in Nigeria as being marred by violence, voters’ intimidation and suppression.
A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the U.S Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria said its members, who observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere across the country, witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.
According to the statement; “The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.
“The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning”.
The statement further said; “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”.
Consequently, the statement urged the 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.
However, the US also renewed its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.
