The White House said on Monday that it was “deeply troubled” by deadly clashes and alleged irregularities that afflicted Nigeria’s elections and urged all sides to refrain from violence.
“We are deeply troubled by what we saw over the weekend,” national security spokesperson Gordon Johndroe told reporters as European Union (EU) observers challenged the credibility of the vote.
“We had urged free and fair elections, and I’m not sure that is exactly what the people of Nigeria got. We look forward to getting more information as the observers report,” said Johndroe.
“We would hope all sides would refrain from any violence as they try to resolve their issues,” he added, as early results showed ruling party candidate Umar Yar’Adua leading his presidential rivals amid unrest that left 200 dead.
Amid mounting opposition calls for the cancellation of state, parliamentary and presidential elections held April 14 and 21, chief EU observer Max van den Berg said the polls had “fallen far short” of basic international standards.
Hopes and expectations
“The elections have not lived up to the hopes and expectations of the Nigerian people, for the process cannot be considered to be credible,” he said.
Van den Berg’s team said at least 200 people were killed in “unacceptable” election-related violence during the two polls, with police and some candidates among the victims.
“The continuing and widespread use of thugs by a number of political parties created a significant degree of fear and intimidation,” said the team in its report.
Official election results were expected to be announced later on Monday, with early returns showing Yar’Adua leading his two main rivals in most southern states and in parts of the northwest and central north.
The mild-mannered 55-year-old who is governor of one of the country’s northern states is backed by President Olusegun Obasanjo and was the pre-poll favourite.
The main opposition candidates, vice-president Atiku Abubakar, Obasanjo’s former friend-turned-foe, and onetime military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, both criticised the poll as unfair and undemocratic.