Elections: Don’t obey illegal directives issued in Buhari’s name, U.S. cautions officials
The United States has again warned Nigerian political leaders of severe sanctions if their comments incite the people to violence that disrupts the smooth conduct of the general election.
The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, also warned Nigerians not to be deceived by politicians who may issue illegal directives to them using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Symington gave the warning on Thursday in Makurdi, Benue State. He was speaking with journalists after his meeting with the state governor, Samuel Ortom.
According to a report of the encounter monitored on Channels TV, Mr Symington cautioned against taking implementing illegal directives to manipulate the elections.
He said political leaders have a responsibility to ensure that the elections this year are free and fair.
“If anybody asks you to do something that is not right and says the boss wants you to do it, or the person at the top wants you to do it, don’t believe him; because the person at the top is saying, and I think honestly saying, they want to win a fair election. There is a reason not to believe them, because we all know that citizens are responsible for thier own actions,” the envoy said.
