U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Nigeria on
Sunday to urge its rival political camps to respect the outcome of a Feb. 14
presidential election, amid concerns that post-poll violence could undermine
the fight against Boko Haram militants.
Kerry's visit to the commercial capital Lagos, in which
he was to hold talks with incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and challenger
Muhammadu Buhari, highlights the stakes for Washington in what is expected to
be Nigeria's closest election since its 1999 transition from military rule.
According to a senior State department official, Kerry
will "emphasize to both of the candidates the importance of non-violence
in this election and having a free and fair and transparent process."
He will argue "in particular that the loser accepts
the results and discourages supporters from responding in any violent
fashion," the official said.
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