Two global powers, the United States and the United Kingdom have warned against any attempt to “ distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people.”
This was made known in a joint statement Monday by US Secretary of State, John Kerry and UK Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond.
They acknowledged in the statement that last Saturday’s presidential elections were largely peaceful.“Our governments welcome the largely peaceful vote on March 28. The Nigerian people have shown a commendable determination to register their vote and choose their leaders.
According to Kerry and Hammond, “So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process. But there are disturbing indications that the collation process—where the votes are finally counted—may be subject to deliberate political interference. This would contravene the letter and spirit of the Abuja Accord, to which both major parties committed themselves.
The statement said “The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission (INEC), or its Chairman, Prof. Jega; or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people.
