Postponement of Elections in Nigeria
www.state.gov
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 7, 2015
The United States is deeply disappointed by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election, which had been scheduled for February 14.
Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process. The international community will 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.
Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process. The international community will 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.
Secretary of State John Kerry said late Saturday that the U.S. is “deeply disappointed” by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election.
“Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process,” Kerry said in a statement.“The international community will 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,” he added.
Nigeria’s election agency on Saturday postponed the election, which had been scheduled for February 14.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who is challenged by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, faces a crisis from attacks by Boko Haram, which has kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls and massacred hundreds of people.
Kerry said the U.S. supports a “free, transparent, and credible electoral process in Nigeria.”
The U.S. is calling on candidates, their supporters and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence, he added.
"Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria were fighting wars and they conducted elections.
"What is Boko Haram?"
Presidential hopeful retired major general Muhammadu Buhari, dismisses the idea that Nigeria's general elections should be postponed in order to tackle Boko Haram.
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"What is Boko Haram?"
Presidential hopeful retired major general Muhammadu Buhari, dismisses the idea that Nigeria's general elections should be postponed in order to tackle Boko Haram.
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The international community will 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."
The word is "pretext". if we accept the argument for postponing the elections, then there will never be election in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, or in any part of the world where there is conflict. ...APC Agents
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