The US government claimed on Tuesday that the governorship and state assembly elections held on March 18, 2023, were marred by violent voter intimidation and suppression.
This was stated by the US diplomatic mission in Nigeria in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the US diplomatic mission, its members witnessed some of these incidents firsthand while watching the elections in Lagos and elsewhere.
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 United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during the March 18 polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.
Read the Press Statement on the March 18 #NigeriaElections » https://t.co/GDNonijpn9 pic.twitter.com/9mYv9nE4YG— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) March 21, 2023
The US urged Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and prosecute anyone found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election.
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.
The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with. https://t.co/GDNonijpn9
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) March 21, 2023
It also renewed its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.