Nigeria’s 2019 Polls: We Are Disappointed – US

The United States has expressed its disappointment over the quality of the conduct of Nigeria’s 2019 elections.

The position of the country was contained in a statement by its Embassy in Abuja on Thursday.

The US cited examples of such areas of disappointment as including low voter turnout, voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by security forces and violence.

It said: “As long-time friends of Nigeria, we continue to follow closely the still ongoing elections. We do not have a preferred party or candidate.

“As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, we too were disappointed by the low voter turnout as well as credible reports of voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by security forces, and violence in some locations.

“We are saddened by those acts of violence and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, including those who worked for the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security services.”

The Mission expressed support for a democratic process “where the will of the Nigerian people is reflected in the results.”