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.
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