US to Nigeria:Don’t postpone elections

The United States has advised Nigeria against postponing the general elections scheduled for next month. The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, gave the advice after he met the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress Maj. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (retd.) in Lagos on Sunday. Kerry said that the US would deny entry visa to any Nigerian politician responsible for fomenting violence during the February elections. He urged the Federal Government not to postpone the elections as being canvassed by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.). The secretary of state said, “Given the stakes, it’s absolutely critical that these elections are conducted peacefully.” Kerry was in Nigeria to urge the political class to respect the outcome of the February 14 presidential election.