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Biden urges nonviolence ahead of Nigeria's elections

Posted March 17, 2015 11:00 pm

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Vice President Joe Biden is raising concerns about violence in Nigeria ahead of that country's March 28 elections.

Biden spoke separately Wednesday with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and his opponent, former military dictator Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The White House says Biden commended both leaders for signing an accord committed to a nonviolent election. He's affirming U.S. support for an independent election commission working to ensure the elections are free, fair and credible.

Biden says both candidates need to make clear violence has no place in elections.

The U.S. has been concerned about the growth of the Boko Haram extremist group in Nigeria, which kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls last year. The White House's brief summary of the calls didn't mention whether the leaders discussed those issues.

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