The United States of America and the United Kingdom have warned against tampering with the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections held in Nigeria over the weekend.
The two countries said though there was no evidence of the manipulation of the process, there are disturbing indications that the collation process may be subjected to deliberate political interference.
In a joint statement by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and UK Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, the two countries warned against undermining the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The statement reads in full: “Our governments welcome the largely peaceful vote on March 28. The Nigerian people have shown a commendable determination to register their vote and choose their leaders.
“So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process. But there are disturbing indications that the collation process—where the votes are finally counted—may be subject to deliberate political interference. This would contravene the letter and spirit of the Abuja Accord, to which both major parties committed themselves.
“The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission, or its Chairman, Professor Jega; or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people.”