The United States government has expressed
‘deep’ disappointment by the decision to
postpone Nigeria’s presidential election,
which had been scheduled for February 14.
A statement by U.S. Secretary of State, John
Kerry, shortly after the announcement of the
poll shift by the Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega,
on Saturday, said political interference with
INEC is unacceptable.
Mr. Jega, while announcing the shift, said
INEC’s decision follows a letter from security
agencies informing the commission that
security cannot be guaranteed if the elections
go ahead as scheduled.
He said the Nigerian military is currently
engaged in operations against Boko Haram
insurgents in the north-eastern part of the
country.
“Last Wednesday…the office of the National
Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the
Commission, drawing attention to recent
developments in four Northeast states of
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe currently
experiencing the challenge of insurgency.
“The letter stated that security could not be
guaranteed during the proposed period in
February for the general elections,”
Mr. Jega
said.
But the U.S. government in its reaction said
“it is critical that the government not use
security concerns as a pretext for impeding
the democratic process”.
Mr. Jega had also on Saturday announced new
dates of March 28 and April 11 for national
and state elections.
The US said the international community
would be watching closely as the Nigerian
government prepares for elections on the
newly scheduled dates.
“The United States underscores the
importance of ensuring that there are no
further delays.
“As I reaffirmed when I visited Lagos last
month, we support a free, transparent, and
credible electoral process in Nigeria and
renew our calls on all candidates, their
supporters, and Nigerian citizens to maintain
calm and reject election-related violence,” Mr.
Kerry said.
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