The United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, in a statement on Tuesday, has advised against interference in the ongoing legal processes challenging the outcome of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. On its website, the mission described the use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the governorship election in Lagos, Kano and elsewhere as particularly concerning.
According to Channels TV, the US government also vowed to impose visa ban and other diplomatic actions against anyone who attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democracy which the electoral judicial processes are ongoing.
“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 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,” the embassy said in a statement published on its website on Tuesday.
According to the Whistler, US condemned the violence associated with the elections including ethnic stereotypes witnessed at the polls while also commending Nigerians who were law-abiding.
“Nigeria carried out the second round of its electoral process with gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18.
“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.
“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.
