Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, the United States has warned political actors in the country against undermining the electoral process that would guarantee free and fair polls.
Claire Pierangelo, U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, at a press briefing on Wednesday in Lagos, urged stakeholders not to violate the rules put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the governorship election.
Pierangelo said that the United States would work with other stakeholders to identify and sanction politicians who perpetrate electoral fraud and undermined the credibility of the polls.
According to her, “Those foes who disrupt the elections, engage in vote-buying; anyone who we can verify that undermined the electoral process we would consider consequences for such individual,” Pierangelo said.
Recent elections in Nigeria have become more prone to violence. A final report on the 2019 general elections issued by the European Union Election Observation Mission had said that the elections were marred by violence and intimidation with the role of security agencies becoming more contentious as the process progressed.
The U.S. Consul General, however, restated America’s long term commitment to free and fair elections in Nigeria, stressing that the Bayelsa election would not be different.
“I would like to reiterate the U.S. Mission’s longstanding commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Nigeria. It is our desire to see nothing less during the November 16th election in Bayelsa State.
“The U.S. government has assisted Nigeria with strengthening the electoral process since 1999 and from that time, robust U.S. election-related diplomacy and programs have sought to advance three main objectives.
“First, we support a free and fair electoral process, including technical assistance to Nigeria’s election institutions and civil society in addition to our active monitoring of both general and off-cycle elections.
She further said that the United States would continue to support and partner with political stakeholders and civic societies for the expansion of the country’s political space to guarantee more inclusiveness.
Pierangelo said that free and fair elections were imperative for the electorates in Bayelsa State to elect credible leaders while advocating for more involvement of the youths in the electoral process.
“I encourage all eligible voters in Bayelsa to participate in the upcoming election and exercise their political franchise. A large turnout will enhance the credibility of the election and Nigeria’s democratic reputation. I would especially ask that every effort be made to boost the participation of women, youth, and people living with disabilities.
“We encourage an expansion in Nigerian civic and political engagement, including support to Nigerian civil society’s election observation efforts and parallel vote tabulation, as well as campaigns such as Vote, Not Fight that promote peaceful political involvement by Nigeria’s youth.
“I recently returned from Bayelsa as part of my first trip to the Niger Delta region since assuming my role as the Consul General,” she added.
Kogi State, in central Nigeria, is also electing its governor on November 16.
