Kogi, Bayelsa Elections: US, EU, UK React

By Uche Mbah

The international community has reacted to the just concluded governorship elections that held in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

The Diplomatic watch, which acts like the international communities’ umbrella body of election monitoring, has frowned on the reports of violence that greeted the elections, but reiterated their commitment to working impartially with Nigerian Authorities.

The Diplomatic watch had deployed monitors to the two states in question.

“There are reports of fatalities and people missing, including INEC staff. Our thoughts are with all victims and their families”, the diplomatic watch said.

“We encourage all Stakeholders, in particular political Leaders, to call for calm, and we encourage Security Agencies to investigate thoroughly and bring perpetrators to justice.

“We are also concerned by evident vote buying and credible reports of ballot box snatching in both Bayelsa and Kogi.

“We commend the commitment and resilience of voters in both States, who came out to exercise their democratic rights.

“We express our sympathy for those affected by the violence, including ordinary voters, INEC Officials, members of the NYSC, Civil Society, and the Media.

“All should be able to carry out their fundamental role in the democratic process, free from intimidation and harassment. As long-standing friends, we have been present at every major election in Nigeria, since 1999.

“We remain committed to working impartially with Nigerian authorities, INEC in particular, as well as Civil Society, to consolidate and deepen democracy.”

Reports has been rife on the spate of violence that graced the elections, with official reports of deaths put at five people, though independent reports put the death toll at more than seven. The Candidate of the People’s democratic party, PDP, in the senatorial rerun election in Kogi West, Dino Melaye, lost his nephew to death in the hands of alleged thugs. He has since been buried.

Rumors of orders from the Presidency for the cancellation of the Kogi elections proved to be false when the incumbent Yahaya Bello was returned amid widespread reports of violence. The Senatorial rerun was, however, declared inconclusive by the Independent national Electoral commission, INEC. A new date for the conclusion of the rerun has, however, not been fixed.