US Expresses Concerns Over Violent Voter Intimidation and Suppression in Nigerian Elections — The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly alarming...

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Published (Updated) on Wednesday, March 22, 2023

On March 21, 2023, the U.S. Mission Nigeria released a statement expressing deep concerns over the violent acts of voter intimidation and suppression that occurred during the gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18 in Lagos, Kano, and other states in Nigeria.

The U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and other areas and witnessed some of the incidents of voter intimidation first-hand. The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly alarming.

Despite these acts of violence and inflammatory language, the U.S. mission commended Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have rejected and spoken out against such violence, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.

The U.S. called 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 United States also threatened to consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria.

After the February 25 national elections, the U.S. joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round. The March 18 elections appeared to have had significant operational improvements, as most polling stations opened on time, and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner.

The U.S. renewed its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with. The U.S. also called for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy.

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