Nigeria’s election marred by suppression, vote buying, violence – US report

United States authorities on Thursday alleged that Nigeria’s 2023 general election was marred by different irregularities.

US Department of State in a report on human rights practices said instances of voter suppression and violence were targeted at specific ethnic groups during the Nigerian election.

It said independent observers documented reports of vote buying, campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy, and violence during the presidential, legislative, and state-level elections.

“National elections were widely reported to have reflected the will of voters, despite technical and logistical difficulties, and some irregularities,” the report said.

“Many independent observers assessed the results of the presidential, legislative, and state-level elections during the year reflected the will of voters, despite reports of voter suppression and vote buying, campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy, violence, and intimidation.”

The report also details alleged intimidation tactics employed by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the March 18 state election in Lagos State.

It also claimed that APC allegedly intimidated and suppressed voters in Igbo-dominated areas, noting that these areas heavily favoured Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, an Igboman.

“During the March 18 state election in Lagos, All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters reportedly intimidated and suppressed voters in Igbo-dominated areas, which Labour Party presidential candidate and ethnically Igbo Peter Obi won in the February 25 national election. Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi,” it added.

According to the report, a similar incident also emerged from Eti-Osa, where journalists were attacked and polling stations were shut down, allegedly preventing non-Yoruba voters from participating.

The report also attributed intances of property destruction and physical obstruction of voters in Amuwo-Odofin to APC supporters.

Citing videos posted on social media during the election, the report said police officers witnessed the attacks on voters but failed to intervene.

It added that there was no evidence that the perpetrators of these irregularities have been arrested or prosecuted.