Breaking: US lawmaker issues warnings to UK, others concerning Nigeria’s Elections

The US representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, Ilhan Omar, urged the international community on Saturday to refrain from “prematurely announcing a winner” until all electoral problems in Nigeria have been resolved.

Omar lamented the irregularities that marred Nigeria’s recently concluded presidential election in a statement that was sent to. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election (INEC).

The US congresswoman added that the low voter turnout indicated that the electorate in the African nation lacked confidence in democratic institutions.

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Her remarks come a day after US Senator Jim Risch, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a similar caution to his nation and President Joe Biden about accepting the results of the presidential election in Nigeria.

The full text of Omar’s statement is as follows: “I am extremely alarmed by the delays and serious allegations of irregularities, including fraud, made by numerous independent observers in the recent Nigerian presidential election.

“I demand complete transparency and prompt action from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as an exhaustive investigation into claims of voter suppression, postponed poll openings, the failure of the new electronic voting system, and a sharp drop in turnout.

“Free, fair, and transparent elections are the foundation of democracy. Elections that aren’t fair, open, and transparent disenfranchise voters and undermine public confidence in the government. The low voter turnout in Nigeria already suggests a lack of confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions. The proper execution of the process is essential.

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“An essential component of a democratic process that works is allowing electoral challenges to proceed through the system. It also serves as a means of boosting self-assurance and averting protracted disputes.

“The international community should support an impartial and open process and refrain from declaring a winner before these issues have been fully resolved.”