This was announced in a statement issued on Thursday.
Both countries described the elections as very important to not just Nigeria but Africa, demanding that the process be fair and transparent.
“The conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria is important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent,” the US mission in Nigeria said in a statement.
“The conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria is important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent,” the US mission in Nigeria said in a statement.
“The United States government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections. The United States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.
“We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.
“We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process. Under U.S. immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members.”
In its statement, the UK said it remains committed to free and fair elections in Nigeria.
It promised to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in order to make the exercise credible.
“Twenty-three days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections and 37 days to the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the British High Commission in Abuja would like to reaffirm our strong support for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria,” the statement read.
“We and our international partners remain committed supporters of Nigeria’s democracy. We do not support any party or individual and believe that the Nigerian people should be able to choose their leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity.
“We continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil society to help them deliver credible elections. We also regularly engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and calm. We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s Election Observation Mission.
“Our monitors will in particular be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media. We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for individuals. These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution under international law.”
From The Cable
Mtcheeeeew.... na heaven be that?
ReplyDeleteThank you jare
DeleteHow is they know who rigged and who didn't? Have they ever been caught? They should say something else please.
ReplyDeleteThe tension and uncertainty with upcoming election is one of the major reasons the US embassy has been denying people visa for a while now. Fear of Nigerians'japaing' and not returning back.
ReplyDeleteIntergrity man take note. Do not rig, I repeat do not rig. Bc we all kn you run to these countries to seek medical help. You kn how important it is for you to go there for treatment. Better use your head. Your health first b4 power.
ReplyDeleteHow will they know who rigged??
ReplyDeleteOk na
ReplyDeleteNonsense, if we put our country in order what we will be doing in theirs? Won't they be begging us to come sef? A colleague of mine left for his country on the 26th of Dec. bcos his visa was expired by 22 of Jan he was already back, the work he does is what anybody can do, there by hindering our youths from work, I am so vexed in my spirit.
ReplyDeleteYes anyone found rigging the voting process, they and their families should be exposed and given life visa ban, particularly those that will arrange thousands of under-aged Almajiris to vote in the North in violation of our electoral laws. This the least the western world can do for the oppressed, downtrodden, pauperized, impoverished, cheated and robbed people of Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteWho are they? They are still dealing with their own humpty Trump. Charity begins at home. USA leave Naija alone! Can you dare interfere in Middle East governance? Ndi ara. After they openly supported Buhari in 2005, now they are spitting nonsense!!!!
ReplyDeleteDon’t mind them with all the Russian collusion we are hearing everyday they think they have a right to spout free and fair elections what rubbish.
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