NIGERIA POLL SHIFT: UNITED STATES DISAPPOINTED, SAYS POLITICAL INTERFERENCE WITH INEC UNACCEPTABLE
The United States
government says it is disappointed with the decision of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the general elections earlier
scheduled for February 14 and February 28, 2015.
government says it is disappointed with the decision of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the general elections earlier
scheduled for February 14 and February 28, 2015.
INEC Chairman,
Professor Attahiru Jega, late Saturday night in a press conference confirmed
earlier speculations on the poll shift when he announced new dates for the
elections, citing advise from the military and security chiefs, who warned that
they could not provide adequate security for the elections following the
escalated military assault in northeastern Nigeria against the terrorist group,
Boko Haram.
Professor Attahiru Jega, late Saturday night in a press conference confirmed
earlier speculations on the poll shift when he announced new dates for the
elections, citing advise from the military and security chiefs, who warned that
they could not provide adequate security for the elections following the
escalated military assault in northeastern Nigeria against the terrorist group,
Boko Haram.
However, the United
States Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry in the statement he signed on
Saturday after the INEC announcement, said: “Political interference with the
Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical
that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the
democratic process. The international community will 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.
States Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry in the statement he signed on
Saturday after the INEC announcement, said: “Political interference with the
Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical
that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the
democratic process. The international community will 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.”
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.”
Meanwhile, the main
opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), whose presidential
candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, is way ahead of incumbent President
Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in opinion polls, has
also expressed disappointment with the rescheduling of the polls.
opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), whose presidential
candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, is way ahead of incumbent President
Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in opinion polls, has
also expressed disappointment with the rescheduling of the polls.
However, the PDP,
which championed the poll shift, said hailed the decision of the electoral
commission.
which championed the poll shift, said hailed the decision of the electoral
commission.
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