2015 Election: US, UK WARNS FG AGAINST ALTERING OF RESULTS
The United States Secretary of States, John Kerry, and the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, has warned against attempt by the Federal Government to alter results of the recebtly concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.
In a joint press statement released to the media, the two countries commended Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organising a peaceful vote last Saturday.
“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.
“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 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, Professor Jega; or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people,” the statement reads.