The US State Department has applauded the positions taken by Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar following the declaration of the Nigerian Presidential elections results.
“We understand that many Nigerians and some of the parties have expressed frustration about the manner in which the process was conducted and the shortcomings of technical elements that were used for the first time in a presidential election cycle,” the State Department wrote in a statement.
The State Department also confirmed that the past election was a unique first in Nigeria’s modern political history, where each of the top three contenders received the most votes in 12 states, showing the range of viewpoints that defined the campaign and the preferences of Nigeria’s electorate.
Reacting to the issues raised by the opposition with regards to irregularities during the elections, the State Department asked INEC to avoid a repeat during the upcoming gubernatorial elections
“We join other international observers in urging INEC to improve in the areas that need the most attention ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial elections” the statement read.
Acknowledging the need for agrieved parties to seek judicial redress, the US government went on to encourage them to use the established adjudication mechanisms in place and to avoid “violence or inflammatory rhetoric at this critical time”.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party has already submitted a petition to the election tribunal in Abuja.
Mimi Mefo Info
