United States has strongly condemned the use of violence and disruption of democratic process.
Reacting to the violence that greeted the last Saturday Rivers state rerun elections, the US government called on the leadership of Nigeria’s political parties to urge their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.
According to a statement issued by the country’s embassy in Abuja, US also called on those dissatisfied to pursue a resolution of their grievances peacefully in accordance with the rule of law.
The statement reads: The U.S. Embassy is concerned about reports of violence, including the possible targeting of electoral officials, and irregularities during re-run elections in Rivers State on March 19, 2016.
“We condemn the use of violence and disruptions of the democratic process.
“We call upon the leadership of Nigeria’s political parties to urge their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.
” We call on those dissatisfied to pursue a resolution of their grievances peacefully in accordance with the rule of law.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was forced to suspended all further actions concerning the court ordered re-run elections in the Rivers State National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats held on Saturday, 19th March 2016.