The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry spoke to reporters about the February elections in Nigeria, at the U.S. consulate’s residence overlooking the Gulf of Guinea that America and others will closely watch the election in this country of 170 million people.
“This will be the largest democratic election on the continent,” Kerry said. “Given the stakes, it’s absolutely critical that these elections be conducted peacefully — that they are credible, transparent and accountable.”
According to Yahoo news, Kerry spoke after meeting in separate locations with both leading candidates, President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, the former military dictator whom Jonathan defeated in 2011. More than 800 people were killed in northern protests after Buhari, a Muslim northerner, lost to Jonathan, a Christian from the south.
Both candidates pledged to tamp down on violence, Kerry said, but the secretary also issued a warning: Anyone who incites postelection mayhem will be ineligible to enter the United States.
On terrorism, Kerry said he was concerned about the Islamic State group making inroads in Africa, but said he saw no direct link between those Syria- and Iraq-based militants and Boko Haram. (Photo credit: LIB).
The two major parties in Nig PDP and APC shld not 4get d peace accord SIGNED IN ABUJA we in the NE are tired of hunger, insecurity, molestation of rape, abduction and child soldier. We had never enjoyed the dividend of democracy . What have we done to deserve all these punishments are we not Nigs? PLS MR PRESIDENT AND GEN BUHARI WHO EVER WINS REMEMBER NE AS A PRIORITY OF BUILDING IT AGAIN TO B AS VIABLE AS B/4 OR MORE THAN DAT.
E. MAINA
CSO