US disappointed with delay in Nigeria election

Secretary of State John Kerry said late Saturday that the U.S. is “deeply disappointed” by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election.

{mosads}“Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process,” Kerry said in a statement.

“The international community will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates. The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays,” he added.

Nigeria’s election agency on Saturday postponed the election, which had been scheduled for February 14.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who is challenged by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, faces a crisis from attacks by Boko Haram, which has kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls and massacred hundreds of people.

Kerry said the U.S. supports a “free, transparent, and credible electoral process in Nigeria.”

The U.S. is calling on candidates, their supporters and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence, he added.