Posted by By IKE NNAMDI, The Sun Reporter, Washington DC on
The United States government has warned of the dire consequences awaiting Nigeria if the forthcoming general elections slated for April were rigged.
The United States government has warned of the dire consequences awaiting Nigeria if the forthcoming general elections slated for April were rigged.
This is coming at a time a bipartisan delegations of the United States lawmakers arrives the country next week.
According to Homeland Security Department, a US agency responsible for the security of American interest worldwide, Washington was worried over scrutiny in Nigeria following claims by several opposition political parties and groups that the government had perfected plans to rig the polls.
On the visit of the US lawmakers, Daily Sun learnt that the delegation would be made up of members of the congressional black caucus, Democratic and Republican leaders and influential United States pro-democracy groups.
Flameland Security Department had reported to the US congress in Washington that "all signs point to anarchy in Nigeria if the government continues its present course of intimidation of political opponents," adding: "Just a few months to the election, the conditions on the ground does not point to free participatory democracy."
Sources said that the Federal Government is aware of the content of the letter, prompting a denial by the Presidency that the polls would be rigged.
President Olusegun Obasanjo had told a visiting delegation of American media executives that his government would conduct a free poll in April. However, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had raised alarm that the elections will not be free and fair. The controversy generated over Atiku's claims and his briefing to the Council on Foreign Relations when he was in Washington, led to the visit being moved forward, it was gathered.
"If a highly placed official like Mr. Abubakar claims the government plans to rig the polls, we have to take him seriously," a member of the delegation stated.
The visiting group will seek audience with various political parties and stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission and pro-democracy groups. The delegation, which would report its findings to the White House, will be briefed by the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, before leaving Washington. "Their recommendation will form the basis for America's policy towards the election and the next Nigerian government", a White House source stated.