A lobbying firm in the United States, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has stated that it will brief congressional leadership and senior members of the U.S. National Security Council on the alleged weaknesses displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in safeguarding free, fair, and credible elections.

The firm acknowledged INEC’s capacity to manage federal elections but expressed doubt that such will be utilised when confronted with deliberate efforts by political actors to manipulate and undermine the voting process.

“This was evident during the 2023 Nigerian elections, and current developments suggest the same pattern may be emerging again,” the firm said.

It said that despite the U.S. House and Senate being in Easter recess, it is actively echoing the State Department’s assessment to key members of Congress and intends to brief congressional leadership and senior members of the U.S. National Security Council early next week.

It said that, unlike the Biden Administration, which took no meaningful action in 2023, it is not in President Donald Trump’s nature to remain passive in the face of an election being openly undermined.

“We will recommend to the Office of the President and Congress that Global Magnitsky sanctions (#GloMag) be imposed on any Nigerian politician or official of the INEC who engages in efforts to rig Nigeria’s ongoing electoral process,” the firm said.

It advsied that the measures should include freezing all foreign assets, restricting access to the global financial system, and imposing travel bans on individuals and their immediate family members. (The Guardian)