It was to encourage them “to continue working together to creating an environment conducive to the holding of violence-free and credible elections and ensuring that all eligible Nigerians can freely exercise their constitutional right to vote including those displaced by violence in the northeast.”

The UN political chief commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Party (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, for their commitment to the so-called Abuja Accord aimed at preventing election-related violence.

“Given the important role Nigeria plays in the region and globally, the international community is closely watching the elections in Nigeria and that any persons responsible for violence will be held accountable,” Feltman stated.

Turning to the situation in the country’s northeast, where Government forces are currently fighting the militant group Boko Haram, Feltman said he reiterated Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message that no cause or grievance can justify the insurgent group’s “continuing indiscriminate and brutal attacks” against the region’s civilian populations.

Moreover, he said that while Ban welcomed the positive military steps taken by countries in the region in countering Boko Haram, a more holistic approach would be required to foil any future threat by such extremist groups.

“While security measures are essential, an exclusive reliance on a military approach would not suffice to counter the Boko Haram insurgency,” he explained. 

 

He added, “Countering Boko Haram effectively and permanently should be based on a multi-dimensional approach that addresses human rights concerns and promotes good governance and economic and social development.”

Photo: AU Commission