The United States Government on Tuesday claimed that the governorship and state assembly elections that was recently conducted on the 18th of March, 2023 was marred by violent voter intimidation and suppression.
The U.S. diplomatic mission in Nigeria made this in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the U.S. diplomatic mission, its members observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.
The statement reads, “The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.
“The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning.”
The U.S called on the 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.
It added, “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.”
It also renewed its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.
