US warns Nigeria against postponing general elections

The United States has advised Nigeria against postponing the February general elections.

The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, gave the advice after he met the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (retd.) in Lagos on Sunday.

According to Kerry, the US would deny entry visa to any Nigerian politician responsible for fomenting violence during the February elections.

He urged the Federal Government not to postpone the elections as being canvassed by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

The secretary of state said, “Given the stakes, it’s absolutely critical that these elections are conducted peacefully.”

He explained that Washington was concerned that post-election violence could undermine the stability of Nigeria and hamper the fight against terrorism.

Kerry said, “Nobody gains by violence, nobody gains by turning a political disagreement into a killing spree … The proof will be in the actions that are taken in the course of the election and afterwards.

“Anyone who participates in, plans or calls for violence against the civilian population must be held accountable, including by ineligibility for an American visa. Perpetrators of such violence would not be welcome in the US.”

In an apparent response to Dasuki’s call, Kerry said, “It is imperative that Nigeria holds its elections on time”.