The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington, has warned Nigerians against announcing the results of the general election before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, does.
That, according to him, would be in violation of the law.
In a statement issued on Monday, he said every Nigerian had a common interest in showing patience.
His words: “All should convince those who support them to refrain from using force or violence to interfere with INEC. No one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final. Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results.”
Describing the election as generally peaceful, he congratulated Nigerians and said that they had displayed their resolve to choose their leaders.
“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, and we urge all candidates to honor the Peace Accord they signed,” the ambassador said.
