Don't Postpone Elections: US warns Nigeria

The United States has advised Nigeria against
postponing the general elections scheduled for
next month.
The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry,
gave the advice after he met the candidates
of the Peoples Democratic Party, President
Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives
Congress Maj. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (retd.)
in Lagos on Sunday.
Kerry said that the US would deny entry visa
to any Nigerian politician responsible for
fomenting violence during the February
elections.
He urged the Federal Government not to
postpone the elections as being canvassed by
the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo
Dasuki (retd.).
The secretary of state said, "Given the stakes,
it's absolutely critical that these elections are
conducted peacefully."
Kerry was in Nigeria to urge the political class
to respect the outcome of the February 14
presidential election.
He explained that Washington was concerned
that post-election violence could undermine
the stability of Nigeria and hamper the fight
against terrorism.
It will be recalled that three days of rioting
trailed the 2011 general elections which saw
Buhari losing to Jonathan.
Kerry said, "Nobody gains by violence, nobody
gains by turning a political disagreement into
a killing spree … The proof will be in the
actions that are taken in the course of the
election and afterwards.
, "Anyone who participates in, plans or calls
for violence against the civilian population
must be held accountable, including by
ineligibility for an American visa. Perpetrators
of such violence would not be welcome in the
US."
In an apparent response to Dasuki's call,
Kerry said, "It is imperative that Nigeria holds
its elections on time."
Dasuki had in London last week called for the
postponement of the elections to allow the
Independent National Electoral Commission
distribute more Permanent Voter Cards to
Nigerians.
An unconfirmed source said Kerry also spoke
with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega,
on the telephone.
He was said to have urged Jega to ensure
that the polls, which would determine how
the US relates to Nigeria in future, were
credible.
Kerry also said that the US remained
committed to helping Nigeria fight Boko
Haram.

Posted by Unknown on Monday, 26 January 2015 - Rating: 4.5

Title : Don't Postpone Elections: US warns Nigeria
Description : The United States has advised Nigeria against postponing the general elections scheduled for next month. The US Secretary of State, Mr. John...

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