Government must prioritize security of electorate during guber election
Just two weeks ago, February 25, 2023 the Federal Government had the Presidential and National Assembly Elections which was marred by insecurity cases across the country making Nigerians fearful to come out en mass to cast votes. The insecurity denied them opportunity to express their legitimate rights.
The failure of the government authorities to address accountability for past elections-related abuses and widespread insecurity across the country threaten the safe conduct of the upcoming 2023 Governorship and members of State House of Assemblies elections holding on March 11th, 2023.
The presidential election results produced the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against other popular candidates like Atiku Abubakar of PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour party (LP). Also the elections umpire yesterday commenced distribution of certificates to members of the federal legislative seats as prospective lawmakers for the 10th National Assembly. However, poor participation by Nigerians as a result of insecurity incidents cannot be swept under the carpet.
“There was apthick veil of violence shrouding the 2023 elections that undermines people’s fundamental right to vote,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“It is important for the authorities to swiftly restore public confidence in their ability to hold those responsible for electoral violence accountable and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
The elections are set to take place against a backdrop of impunity for abuses by security forces and other actors during the previous general elections in 2019. There are security threats from multiple groups across the country, including violent gangs in the Northwest and groups in Southeastern Nigeria who have been trying to undermine the elections.
Nigeria’s elections have historically been fraught with violence and other abuses. The election of President Buhari in 2015, the first transition of power to an opposition party since the country’s democratic transition in 1999, was largely peaceful. But the 2019 election was marred by violence from security forces, including the army, and thugs acting on behalf of politicians.
For emphasis, some of the violences related cases doing the just concluded elections include chaos at one polling booth in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, on Saturday afternoon as shots were fired in the air. People screamed and scattered, searching for cover, as armed men jumped out of a minibus and grabbed ballot boxes. The incident left ballot papers strewn across the road and voters angry.
As Nigerians head to the polls on Saturday, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) claimed that a total of 60 attacks were recorded at political rallies leaving nine people dead and others injured since campaigns started in September last year.
CDD, in an Election Analysis Centre (EAC) brief, which was released ahead of the polls, said insecurity, fuel scarcity, naira policy of the apex bank and other issues may pose challenges to the conduct of elections.
While EAC is expected to keep a close watch on the key processes in the build-up to, during and after the elections, the elite democracy and development think tank said it had deployed over 4,993 trained and accredited observers, 42 data clerks and 15 fact-checkers and social media experts to monitor the elections.
“In the last quarter of 2022, violence targeting political parties reached its highest point since the previous general election in early 2019. In total, 60 attacks were recorded at political rallies, resulting in nine fatalities since the start of campaigning on 28 September,” CDD said in the report made available to journalists.
The centre expressed fear over the mobilisation of non-state actors by political figures for activities, which undermine the credibility of the polls, stressing that such realities could further worsen the state of insecurity.
It could even determine whether elections will be held all across the country given the threat they pose to the security of voters, electoral materials, and poll officials.
“The Nigerian Election Violence Tracker recorded at least 134 incidents involving INEC offices and staff between 2019 and 2022. Among these events are lootings, arson attacks, shootings, as well as abductions and assassinations of electoral officers,” CDD said.
There were mayhem in some states like Kogi, Abia, Lagos, Kano, Rivers where some people were killed and security personnel attacked because of electoral violences. Two people were killed during electoral violence in Ndi Agwu community of Abam, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, Southeast Nigeria.
Two persons were feared dead in Ubimini Community ward 12, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.It was gathered that a pregnant woman and a member of a local vigilante group, EMOVIS, Emohua Vigilant Service, were killed.
It was gathered that about two houses were burnt in the incident at Ubimini, Emohua LGA, causing people to flee the area for safety.
Voters in Ikate in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State could not cast their votes as hoodlums allegedly invaded the polling unit chasing away voters and destroying electoral materials.According to eyewitnesses, the affected polling unit is close to the Oba of Elegushi’s palace.
Eventually, some of these violences related cases across the country were caused by some shortcomings and Challenges by INEC such delays in arrival of Electoral materials, BVAS malfunctioning,no availability of security personnel to man polling units thereby paving way for politicians to use thugs to snatch ballots paper for rigging purposes etc.
At this juncture, the Federal Government should redouble its effort in terms of ensuring effective security network to give the citizens courage to come out en mass to vote for their choices. There must be synergy among the security agencies to curb electoral violences by all means. The INEC must also live above expectation by addressing the irregularities witnessed during the last week to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised at coming Saturday elections.
