U.S. vows punishment for those behind Nigeria election violence

The United States government has urged Nigerians authorities to hold to account those responsible for violence during Saturday’s governorship elections, and promised its punishment for violators.

“We call 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,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

“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.”

Governorship and state assembly elections across 28 states witnessed attacks on voters with at least two people killed. In Lagos, multiple videos showed how thugs barred voters from voting for their preferred candidates. Those who defied were severely beaten.

He federal government has yet to comment on the attacks. After the poll, Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state remained welcoming to all residents, urging calm after an intense use of ethnic slurs and hateful rhetoric.

– EU too

The European Union’s observer team had earlier deplored “organized violence” that targeted voters, observers and journalists.

It said the electoral commission, Inec, “lacked transparency” despite introducing some corrective measures ahead of the polls.

“Polling on election day was disrupted by multiple incidents of thuggery and intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers, and journalists. Lagos, Kano, and other states in the southern and central part were most affected. Unfortunately, there were many casualties and fatalities. Vote-buying, also directly observed by EU EOM observers, further detracted from an appropriate conduct of the elections,” it said.

”Deeply troubled”

In its statement, the U.S. said it was “deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.”

It also condemned the widespread use of ethnic slurs and hateful rhetoric by political actors.

“Members of the U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.  The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning,” it said.

“We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.”