expressed ‘deep’ disappointment by
the decision to postpone Nigeria’s
presidential election,
which had
been scheduled for February 14.
A statement by U.S. Secretary of
State, John Kerry, shortly after the
announcement of the poll shift by
the Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission,
Attahiru Jega, on Saturday, said
political interference with INEC is
unacceptable.
Mr. Jega, while announcing the
shift, said INEC’s decision follows a
letter from security agencies
informing the commission that
security cannot be guaranteed if
the elections go ahead as scheduled.
He said the Nigerian military is
currently engaged in operations
against Boko Haram insurgents in
the north-eastern part of the
country.
“Last Wednesday…the office of the
National Security Adviser (NSA)
wrote a letter to the Commission,
drawing attention to recent
developments in four Northeast
states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa
and Gombe currently experiencing
the challenge of insurgency.
“The letter stated that security
could not be guaranteed during the
proposed period in February for
the general elections,” Mr. Jega
said.
But the U.S. government in its
reaction said “it is critical that the
government not use security
concerns as a pretext for impeding
the democratic process”.
Mr. Jega had also on Saturday
announced new dates of March 28
and April 11 for national and state
elections.
The US said the international
community would 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,”
Mr. Kerry said.
