The latest statement from the United States reveals the mien of the country towards the oil-rich states of Rivers and Akwa Ibom.
The statement says, " The US Embassy in Nigeria congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Independent National Electoral Commission for an electoral process on April 11, 2015 that generally went well across the country and built on the success of the March 28 polling process."
The statement adds, "We have seen the reports of violence and alleged irregularities, particularly in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, and call on those dissatisfied to pursue their grievances peacefully in the judicial arena. We regret any loss of life and destruction of property."
Furthermore, "We commend the leadership of Nigeria's political parties, notably President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, for urging their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process."
In January, "Big Business" in Nigeria basically comprising international oil companies (IOCs) contracted a veteran journalist to conduct research and predict the winners of the election at states, federal and national assembly platforms with special emphasis on Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Lagos states. These are the bases of operations of majority of the IOCs in Nigeria.
When it became glaring that General Muhammadu Buhari of opposition All Progressives' Congress (APC) whose antecedents shows that he will not condone any breach of the law especially in the controversy -ridden oil sector, these multinationals started hoping for governors from the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge in the states. The IOCs deem PDP as being friendly to their operations
This development is tied to the haste with which the US government tacitly accepted the contentious polls in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. This is done to ensure peace and stability in these areas to guarantee smooth operations of the mainly US-owned IOCs in the region that stand to be adversely affected by the onset of political instability in the area.
The US observers were part of those that flawed the electoral processes in these states and Abia. It is interesting that the US accepted the results within days of its announcement even though it acknowledges the seriousness of the situation caused by widespread vote rigging leading to loss of lifes in the two states. Judging from the text of the statement above, the US then desperately urged aggrieved parties to seek redress at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Since the US broke tradition from its no-conment policy of non interference in host nation's internal affairs by commenting on the polls and advising on what should be done, many analysts believe the US should have encouraged the conduct of fresh elections in the mentioned states due to the gravity of the poll rigging there.
It did not. The US sure knows how to protect its interests.
