• Friday, March 29, 2024
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UK, US threaten travel restrictions, other repercussions for election violence

Why corruption fight may not decide votes on Feb. 16

Ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have announced repercussions, including restrictions on travel on any person or group who may perpetrate election-related violence.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Tinu Oluwa Adelegan, senior communications officer, Press and Public Affairs, British High Commission to Nigeria, 23 days to the presidential and National Assembly elections, and 37 days to the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in Nigeria.

“We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s Election Observation Mission. Our monitors will in particular be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections,including on social media”.

“We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for individuals. These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based-funds or lead to prosecution under international law. The UK is a friend and partner of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The UK government also reaffirmed its strong support for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria, saying, “We and our international partners remain committed supporters of Nigeria’s democracy. We do not support any party or individual and believe that the Nigerian people should be able to choose their leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity.

“We continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil society to help them deliver credible elections. We also regularly engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and calm”.

“We hope our continued support will play a role in helping Nigeria take a further step towards consolidating the progress made since democracy returned in 1999,” the statement said.

The US in the statement also said the conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria was important not only for Nigeria, but also for the African continent, adding that “the US government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections.

“We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.
“We will not hesitate to consider consequences including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process. Under US Immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members. We welcome the signing of peace pledges by Nigerian candidates and their commitment to a peaceful electoral process,” the statement said.

The US stresses more supports for the Nigerian democratic process and called for a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

Meanwhile, political stakeholders have applauded the decision of the US and UK, but lamented that similar threat in the past had not been enforced.

They, however, urge that the UK and US should move beyond lip service and sanction those involve or sponsoring election violence.

Soji Adejumo, a professor from the University of Ibadan, said in spite of the large-scale violence that characterized the 2015 general elections and recent bye-elections in Rivers State, no one had been made to face the law, while blaming security agent and INEC for not doing enough to punish perpetrators.

Adejumo said the trend had become widespread because of the refusal of the security agencies to prosecute offenders, stressing that such move by the UK and US would go a long way in serving as deterrence.

According to Adejumo, “If you are talking about electoral violence in Nigeria I believe we have not done enough in checking the trend. What have they done to the people caught in the 2015 electoral violence and killings? We saw the violence in the recent Rivers State bye-election, up till now; I don’t think that elections have been rescheduled.

“I believe we have gone pass that era where we should have violence in our politics, it may not be necessary, it may have monumental consequences if someone is involve in violence and becomes a governor or president.
“I support the US and UK move to ban anyone found wanting, it is deterrence for everyone, but they should act rather than just lip service.”