US condemns Nigeria poll postponement

United States has expressed disap­pointment over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the February polls to March.

In a statement issued in Washington, the Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. was “deeply disap­pointed” by Nigeria’s deci­sion to delay the election. “Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is criti­cal that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process,” Kerry said.


He visited Nigeria on Jan. 25, urging the People Democratic Party presiden­tial candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress party presidential candi­date, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to prevent potential post-election violence by their supporters. The state­ment read:

“The United States is deeply disappointed by the decision to postpone Nige­ria’s presidential election, which had been scheduled for February 14. Political interference with the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commission is unaccept­able, and it is critical that the government not use se­curity concerns as a pretext for impeding the democrat­ic process.

“The international com­munity will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates. The Unit­ed States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays.

“As I reaffirmed when I visited Lagos last month, we support a free, trans­parent, and credible elec­toral process in Nigeria and renew our calls on all candidates, their support­ers, and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence.”