Recently, the United States Government reiterated its position on the upcoming 2023 elections in Nigeria, warning of potential sanctions and visa restrictions for politicians involved in undermining the democratic processes or inciting violence.
Furthermore, the US expressed support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its decision to implement the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results.
Rolf Olson, the Political Counselor at the United States Embassy in Nigeria, conveyed the United States Government’s stance at the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association Annual Seminar 2022 on “Promoting electoral integrity in Nigeria: Prospects and challenges,” held in Abuja on November 21.
Emphasizing that the United States Government maintains neutrality regarding candidates, Olson clarified the US’s objectives in the upcoming elections.
Regarding the 2023 elections, he stated: “It never ceases to amaze me how often we see comments, claims, and assertions from people in social and traditional media about what our supposed objectives are in the elections, which candidate or party we favour, how to interpret certain statements or actions of ours in terms of what it means about our intentions are perceptions.”
“In reality, I think it’s quite simple to interpret us, especially when it comes to the elections. We always try to be clear in our messages, so let me be clear here on several important points:
“The United States does not support any individual candidate or party in this election cycle (or for that matter, in any other upcoming election). Our interest is in supporting credible and transparent elections that reflect the will of Nigerian voters, in a process that is conducted peacefully. Full stop. Individuals seeking to undermine the democratic process, including through violence, may be found ineligible for visas to the United States.
“We have imposed visa restrictions in the past against those responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process, and remain fully willing to do so again in the context of the upcoming elections.”
Additionally, he advised parties, candidates, and their supporters to refrain from using language that attempts to “guarantee” victory, highlighting that there is no genuine democratic election in which the outcome is predetermined.