Despite irregularities, 2023 poll reflected will of Nigerians - US report

The 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices says the last general election in Nigeria reflected the will of the populace despite widespread irregularities. 

The report published by the bureau of democracy, human rights, and labour, US Department of State, highlights human rights practices and violations in different countries, including Nigeria.

The report stated that supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) suppressed votes in Igbo-dominated areas during the March 2023 governorship election in Lagos.

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

 “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.

“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 Peter Obi won in the February 25 national election.

“Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo (a LGA in Lagos) threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi.

“In Eti-Osa, APC supporters also attacked journalists and, in some cases, shut down voting and prevented non-Yoruba voters from accessing polls. They similarly destroyed property and physically blocked voters in Amuwo-Odofin.

“According to videos posted on social media, police officers were present but failed to respond to attacks.”

The report said there was no evidence that individuals who perpetrated violence in Lagos during the election were arrested or prosecuted.

‘CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT‘

The report stated that the Nigerian government has not “consistently” implemented anti-corruption laws.

It said there was “widespread” corruption across the country, including in the judiciary.

“In August, President Tinubu appointed former Governor Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget, despite Bagudu’s widely reported history of helping then-President Sani Abacha steal hundreds of millions of dollars from the government in the 1990s,” the report said.

“Police arrested former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele on June 10 and charged him and a co-defendant with defrauding the government of 6.5 billion naira ($10.4 million), later reduced to 1.6 billion naira ($2.5 million).”