The United States has said Nigeria’s upcoming elections, which are closely contested between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), present a possibility of violence.It therefore issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to remain cautious while travelling within Nigeria during the presidential and gubernatorial elections on March 28 and April 11.
In the advisory placed on its website, the US...
Embassy in Abuja recalled that the 2011 polls, although they were largely peaceful, recorded violence in many northern states following the announcement of results in the presidential race. The presidential elections then were contested by the same primary actors in the 2015 polls; President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).
“The elections, originally scheduled for February 14 and February 28, were postponed for six weeks due to security concerns related to Boko Haram Insurgency. This travel alert expires on May 25,” the advisory read.
The advisory added that there is no reason to believe that US citizens would be specifically targeted in the event of election-related violence and called on the citizens to be careful during the election process, particularly in and around polling locations in the weeks before and after the elections.
It also urged US citizens traveling to or residing in Nigeria to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP) which provides latest security updates and makes it easier for them to be contacted by the nearest US Mission in event of an emergency.
“The elections, originally scheduled for February 14 and February 28, were postponed for six weeks due to security concerns related to Boko Haram Insurgency. This travel alert expires on May 25,” the advisory read.
The advisory added that there is no reason to believe that US citizens would be specifically targeted in the event of election-related violence and called on the citizens to be careful during the election process, particularly in and around polling locations in the weeks before and after the elections.
It also urged US citizens traveling to or residing in Nigeria to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP) which provides latest security updates and makes it easier for them to be contacted by the nearest US Mission in event of an emergency.
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