"We Are Deeply Troubled": US Condemns Violence, Voter Suppression During 2023 General Elections

• The 2023 general elections have been described as one marred by acts of voter suppression, among many other vices
• This description of the process and outcome of the 2023 general elections was given by the United States of America
• According to the American government, all legal challenges to the election results must not be interfered with

The United States of America has condemned the barrage of violence, ethnic and religious intolerance and voter suppression that took place during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

A statement released by the US embassy and seen by Legit.ng said the country is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that occurred during the polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.

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It said members of the US diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and other states where they witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.

The statement read in parts:

"The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning.

"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."

The US government further called on the Nigerian authorities to hold to account and bring to justice any individual found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.

It said:

"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."

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US makes demands of INEC

To the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the United States said it joins other international observers to urge the electoral umpire to improve voting processes in Nigeria.

The US also said that it is important that the technical elements and glitches experienced during the voting process be addressed while noting that the governorship and State House of Assembly elections conducted on March 18 had more operational improvements than the presidential poll.

Listing that polling stations generally opened on time during the March 18 election, the US said it was evident most results were also made available on INEC's electronic viewing platform in a timely manner during last Saturday's poll.

It added:

"The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.

"We further call for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy."

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"Lagos ruled by people who only bring thuggery": Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour speaks after voting at Anifowoshe

Meanwhile, the 2023 governorship candidate for the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, alleged that Lagos state is ruled by people who only bring thuggery and violence to the state.

Rhodes-Vivour said this after casting his vote at the Anifowoshe area of Lagos state during the 2023 governorship and State House of Assembly.

The Labour Party's governorship candidate also alleged that there has been some voter suppression in some areas of the state.

Protesters hit streets of Abuja, call for immediate sack of INEC chairman, cancellation of presidential poll

President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to immediately sack the chairman of the Independent National Commission (INEC).

The call was made to the president by some protesters under the platform of the Free Nigeria Movement on Tuesday, March 21.

Members of the group also called on the president to cancel the Saturday, February 25 presidential election, which saw the emergence of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as the president-elect.

Source: Legit.ng