Election: Protests may turn violent – US Embassy warns citizens in Nigeria

With the presidential, National Assembly, and governorship/State Assembly elections set to be held on February 25 and March 11, respectively, the US Embassy in Nigeria has warned it’s citizens in the country on potential protests and impeded movement on those dates.

The Embassy issued a warning to its citizens on its website warning that protests “may turn violent with little or no notice.”

It will be recalled that the federal government and the governments of the US and UK had disagreements a few months ago over a security notice issued about various Nigerian areas, particularly the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, recommending their citizens to avoid them.

This time, the Embassy also urged that Americans living in Nigeria stockpile three days’ worth of food and water in case travel restrictions persisted after election day.

The notice, titled “Security Alert – Possible Protests Leading to Elections and Restricted Movements on Election Days,” read:  “The government of Nigeria will restrict the movement of all personal vehicles on election days across the country.

“Information from the government of Nigeria indicates that only law enforcement personnel and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC-accredited election observers will be allowed to move freely along the roads.

“Based on past election practice, we anticipate personal vehicles will be blocked from any and all attempted road movement from 00:00 until 18:00 February 25 and 00:00 until 18:00 March 11.

“Please be advised that movement restrictions may be extended at any time. Be alert to government of Nigeria’s information about the restrictions.”

Recall that there have recently been protests in various Nigerian states due to a shortage of both new naira notes and fuel.

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As a result, angry Nigerians whose money is stuck in the banking industry vandalized banks and ATMs.

Last Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari banned the old N500 and N1,000 notes and extended the expiration date of the previous N200 notes to April 10, 2023.

At least ten governors have petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the President’s order in a case that will be heard on February 22.