By Enyichukwu Enemana
Reactions have continued to trail last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections which took place across the country amidst voter apathy, intimidation of voters and suppression.
To this end, the United States Mission in Nigeria has threatened to use all available means to bring to justice persons fingered in the electoral violence.
In a statement published on Tuesday on its website, the US frowned at the violence that characterized the elections, stating that it 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”.
“We call 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 statement added.
The US added that it is “deeply troubled”, expressing worry at the intimidation and suppression that took place during Lagos, Kano, and other states last weekend.
“Members of the U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and 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. We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process,” it added.
While applauding INEC for recording a remarkable improvement on the March 18 elections against the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, the US said polling stations opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner.
The US further called on Nigerians to work together to strengthen the country’s democracy, and called on aggrieved persons to explore the instrumentality of the legal system to seek redress arising from the elections’ fallout. “The United States renews 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,” the US concluded.
In some states of the federation, particularly Lagos, and Kano, there were reports of violence and ballot box snatching as well as deployment of ethnically provocative rhetoric to deter voters from participating in the exercise.
International observers, including the European Union have alluded to widespread violence that led to the death of at least 21 persons.
