The United States, U.S and the British governments on Tuesday expressed disappointment and sadness over reports of violence, particularly against electoral officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as irregularities in the March 19 rerun election in Rivers state.
A statement issued by the Press & Public Affairs Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Joe Abuku reports that UK observers in the state “saw irregularities around the voting and noted the low turn-out of voters at polling units which was in part a consequence of fear of violence.”
The British High Commission called on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to encourage their supporters in Rivers to behave peacefully.
It further advised those still dissatisfied with the outcome of the election “to pursue resolution of their grievances through the courts in accordance with the rule of law.”
In the same view, the US Embassy in Nigeria in a terse statement also forwarded to DAILY POST on Tuesday said the violence that marred the Rivers rerun was unfortunate.
“We call upon the leadership of Nigeria’s political parties to urge their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process,” it advised.
“We call on those dissatisfied to pursue a resolution of their grievances peacefully in accordance with the rule of law.”
It would be recalled that INEC last Sunday suspended all electoral processes regarding the re-run.
Director of Voter Education Publicity of INEC, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, announced that the results were released in nine state constituencies and one federal constituency in the state.
Osaze-Uzzi also revealed that the release of further results were suspended due to reports of violence, attacks and even the deaths of INEC officials and adhoc personnel.
All INEC personnel have relocated to Abuja due to the escalation of violence.
On Monday, Osaze-Uzizi said Nigerians should on Wednesday expect the decision on when results of concluded elections would be released.
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