U.S. Ambassador W. Stuart Symington has called on all candidates who contested for various positions at the polls on Saturday to ensure their supporters refrain from using force or violence to interfere with INEC and urged all parties to honor the peace accord they signed.
The Ambassador made this known in a press release issued on Nigeria’s election. He added that no-one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final.
He urged all Nigerians to maintain peace as INEC collated and announce the results. “Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results.”
Symington congratulated Nigerians for the peaceful elections except in some areas where there were incidents of violences. He added that, “I congratulate the tens of millions of Nigerians who stood patiently in long lines to vote this week and the hundreds of thousands who worked together with INEC to conduct the elections. As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, this election was predominantly peaceful, and it was proof of the Nigerian people’s resolute commitment to choose their leaders.
“The peaceful achievement of millions was shadowed by the violence of a few. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives.”