US Congressman Asks Trump To Sanction Any Nigerian Official Who Manipulates 2019 Election

A United States Congressman, Christopher Smith has called on President Trump to sanction any Nigerian authority or official who manipulates the 2019 general elections.

According to Punch, Christopher Smith, who is also the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said this in a statement which he published on his official website.

His statement reads:

“I am very concerned by the current trajectory in Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy and economy, and President Muhammadu Buhari’s apparent crackdown on non-violent protests and harassment of opposition leaders, such as freezing the assets of opposition vice presidential candidate Peter Obi and the raiding of the home of two sons of opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar.

“I call upon the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that elections will be free and fair, and for the Commission to remain impartial.

“I further call upon President Buhari to use his authority to end the violence perpetrated by Fulani extremists, particularly in the Middle Belt region, and question why he has failed to do so.

“I also urge the Trump Administration to monitor the evolving situation closely, and not to hesitate to use its sanctioning authority to hold accountable any officials who subvert the electoral process or foment violence against citizens.”