President Goodluck Jonathan (right) receiving United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Lagos... on Sunday
The United States has advised Nigeria against postponing the general elections scheduled for next month.
The US Secretary of State, Mr. John
Kerry, gave the advice after he met the candidates of the Peoples
Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives
Congress Maj. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (retd.) in Lagos on Sunday.
Kerry said that the US would deny entry
visa to any Nigerian politician responsible for fomenting violence
during the February elections.
He urged the Federal Government not to
postpone the elections as being canvassed by the National Security
Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).
The secretary of state said, “Given the stakes, it’s absolutely critical that these elections are conducted peacefully.”
Kerry was in Nigeria to urge the political class to respect the outcome of the February 14 presidential election.
He explained that Washington was
concerned that post-election violence could undermine the stability of
Nigeria and hamper the fight against terrorism.
It will be recalled that three days of rioting trailed the 2011 general elections which saw Buhari losing to Jonathan.
Kerry said, “Nobody gains by violence,
nobody gains by turning a political disagreement into a killing spree …
The proof will be in the actions that are taken in the course of the
election and afterwards.
, “Anyone who participates in, plans or
calls for violence against the civilian population must be held
accountable, including by ineligibility for an American visa.
Perpetrators of such violence would not be welcome in the US.”
In an apparent response to Dasuki’s call, Kerry said, “It is imperative that Nigeria holds its elections on time.”
Dasuki had in London last week called for
the postponement of the elections to allow the Independent National
Electoral Commission distribute more Permanent Voter Cards to Nigerians.
An unconfirmed source said Kerry also spoke with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on the telephone.
He was said to have urged Jega to ensure
that the polls, which would determine how the US relates to Nigeria in
future, were credible.
Kerry also said that the US remained committed to helping Nigeria fight Boko Haram.
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