Top diplomatic envoys to Nigeria have praised members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for its bravery and courage during the legislative re-run election that held in Rivers State on December 10.

This was contained in a joint state signed by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright; United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington; French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Guaer; German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck and EU Head of Delegation to Nigeria, Michel Arrion.

“We praise the bravery and commitment of those INEC staff who persevered in their work on the ground to ensure polls went ahead in the face of severe challenges,” the statement read, adding however that the envoys were worried by reports that “some INEC officials accepted payment to influence election outcomes.”

The diplomats who had prior to the Election Day raised concerns over the rising tension in Rivers state, stated that they “followed closely the conduct of the elections … and the days immediately following.”

The statement read further: “We are extremely concerned by the use of incendiary language, intimidation and violence by supporters of both the major political parties prior to and during the elections.

“We are saddened by the deaths reported of civilians and police officers who were present in the state.”

The foreign envoys called “for a transparent and full investigation into those deaths and other security incidents, including of credible reports that some elements of the security forces either obstructed the course of the elections or improperly influenced the results.”

They also stressed the importance for the leadership of all political parties and their supporters to allow future elections in Nigeria to hold peacefully.