New Jersey Republican Congressman Chris Smith who chairs the Foreign Affairs Africa sub-committee has continued to express grave concerns over the political landscape in Nigeria with specific attention to the upcoming elections in the country. Beyond the usual rhetoric, Rep Smith is calling on the Trump administration to do something to mitigate the risks and threats related to the Nigerian 2019 elections including the use of sanctions as a deterrent to actions that might put the democracy and stability of Nigeria — Africa’s most populated country at risk.

“Nigeria today is clearly at a crossroads.  We see continuing violence along ethnic and religious lines, exacerbated by economic, social and political tensions, coinciding with this upcoming major election,” Rep Smith said during a December 13 hearing in DC which had in attendance the Nigerian opposition leader and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

“I also urge the Trump Administration to monitor the evolving situation closely, and not to hesitate to use its sanctioning authority to hold accountable any officials who subvert the electoral process or foment violence against citizens,” the congressional chair said in a recent statement released December 21.

He warned of the red flags around the upcoming 2019 polls including the “crackdown on non-violent protests and harassment of opposition leaders, such as freezing the assets of opposition vice presidential candidate Peter Obi and the raiding of the home of two sons of opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar.” He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the polls were credible and seen as impartial.