The 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices by the US revealed that Nigeria’s last year’s general election, which produced President Bola Tinubu, reflected the will of the electorate despite widespread irregularities.
The report highlighted instances of voter intimidation and suppression by All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Igbo-dominated areas of Lagos during the March 2023 governorship election.
The report emphasized that while there were technical difficulties and irregularities, national elections were generally perceived to reflect the voters’ will. Specifically, during the state election in Lagos, APC supporters intimidated voters in Igbo-dominated areas, where Labour Party candidate Peter Obi had won in the national election.
The report also mentioned incidents of voter suppression, violence, and intimidation during elections. Additionally, the report addressed corruption in the government, noting that some corrupt officials were appointed to public positions, such as former Governor Abubakar Bagudu being appointed as the Minister of Budget despite his history of involvement in corruption during the 1990s.
