United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has applauded Nigeria on the largely peaceful and methodical conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections. Ban, in a statement issued on Saturday night in New York, encouraged all Nigerians to continue to maintain the peace and to exercise patience throughout the ongoing voting process and the announcement of the final results. He condemned the attacks reportedly carried out by suspected Boko Haram in some parts of the country and attempts by hoodlums to interrupt polling in some areas. The UN Chief stated that he was confident by the purpose and resilience shown by Nigerians in pressing forward and exercising their civic duties. The Secretary-General called on all Nigerians to direct any complaints that might arise from the elections through the established dispute resolution mechanisms. The Secretary-General also stated he understood that the successful conclusion of the electoral process would mark an important step forward in further merging democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
