U.S. condemns APC-led Igbo voting suppression in Lagos

The United States stated on Tuesday that it was alarmed by extensive examples of voting suppression motivated by ethnicity in Lagos during the March 18 governorship election, and that such conduct would not go unpunished.

In a statement posted on its website, the U.S. mission in Nigeria stated that such actions undermine Nigeria's democratic experience and any political actors responsible will be denied visas.

Individuals such as Bayo Onanuga, a prominent adviser to President-elect Bola Tinubu, and Musiliu 'MC Oluomo' Akinsanya, another Tinubu supporter, have openly called for violence against Nigerians of Igbo ancestry in Lagos, claiming that the nation's commercial capital belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group.

Particularly, Mr. Onanuga refused to back down from his deadly statements, arguing that the Igbo ethnic groups have no place in Lagos politics or governance despite widespread condemnation.

Hundreds of Igbo people reported being turned away from polling stations by political thugs sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress, with many voters being required to speak Yoruba in order to vote.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was reelected through the suppression of opposition votes, has called for calm following his reelection, stating that he will work to mend fences and prevent ethnic tensions throughout the state.

Tuesday's U.S. declaration echoed similar observations by other election monitors, who stated that Nigeria's 2023 elections fell short of the standards observed in recent cycles.

Below is the complete U.S. statement as announced here:

On March 18, Nigeria held its second round of elections, including gubernatorial and state assembly elections. The United States is extremely worried by the troubling acts of voter intimidation and suppression that occurred in Lagos, Kano, and other states during those elections. The diplomatic mission of the United States observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and experienced some of these acts firsthand.

The use of racially charged rhetoric before, during, and after the Lagos gubernatorial election was especially troubling. We applaud all Nigerian political players, religious and community leaders, youth, and people who have opted to reject and speak out against such violence and incendiary language, therefore demonstrating their commitment to and respect for the democratic process.

We call on the Nigerian government to hold accountable and bring to court anyone found to have directed or participated in measures to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process. The United States will similarly explore all available measures, including increased visa restrictions, against persons considered to be culpable for or complicit in subverting Nigeria's democratic process.

During the general elections held on February 25, the United States joined other international observers in asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address flawed voting methods and technological issues. It appears that significant operational improvements were made for the March 18 elections, since polling locations generally opened on time and the majority of results were accessible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely way.

The United States reaffirms its demand that any challenges to election results must follow established legal procedures that must not be interfered with. In addition, we urge the people of Nigeria to collaborate as they participate in and continue to enhance the country's dynamic democracy.

Source: Newsrangers