The United States has vowed to take action against anyone found guilty of undermining the Anambra governorship election slated for November 6, 2021.
In a release on Wednesday entitled ‘Statement on the upcoming Anambra elections’, the US said visa restriction may be placed on those found guilty of instigating violence during or after the election.
It added that it would be paying close attention to the electoral process in the state and looked forward to a peaceful and transparent poll that will accurately reflect the will of the people.
The US there called on citizens, electoral officials, party members, and security force personnel to do their part in ensuring a credible and secure electoral process.
The statement reads: “The United States looks forward to a gubernatorial election in Anambra State on November 6 that is peaceful and transparent, with results that accurately reflect the will of the state’s residents.
“We will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere with the democratic process or instigate violence against civilian populations before, during, or after the elections.
“We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.
“Under US immigration law, certain violations also may lead to restrictions on family members.
“We call on citizens, electoral officials, party members, and security force personnel to do their part in ensuring a credible and secure electoral process.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, Matthew Kukah, warned against voter apathy in the election saying it will have severe consequences.
Kukah, who spoke on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, said voter apathy will be detrimental to the development of the state.
“Voter apathy is rampant across the world but voter apathy in Africa and Nigeria has consequences,” he said.
“It is not like the United States and other settled democracies where whether you vote or not, things happen to run on fine. Whether you elect the right person or not, it will not affect the level of education and health that they have in their environment.
“But for us in Nigeria and in Africa, election is war, a battle of life and survival in part because if you vote for the wrong person, you could easily become a small dot in a big circle.
“You vote for the wrong person, you could easily end up with no road in your village, or school or health care facility.”
Kukah said the most important factor to consider in describing an election as free, fair and credible is if there is no fatality.
“The most important parameter to consider the election a success is that nobody needs to lose their life,” he said.
“Too many Nigerians have died unnecessarily. The most important thing is to make sure that nobody loses their life, nobody suffers any unwanted injury.
“It is the responsibility of INEC. The commission has a threshold that constitutes all we can consider free, fair and credible elections.
“But for me, over and above the election won’t be free, fair and credible if one person loses his life.”
