Nigerian Situation Room Cries Out - Reports Of Kidnapping, Assassination In Several States Ahead Of Saturday's Elections Worrisome
Ahead of the March 18 Governorship and the house of assembly
elections, the Nigerian civil society situation room, a group comprising 70
civil society organizations (CSOs) has expressed their concerns over the
reported spike of violence across the country.
Statement from the
group reveals that there have been kidnaps, violence, and assassination in several
states including Lagos,
Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Kano.
They have
therefore asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address
the challenges ahead of logistics ahead of the polls.
The
statement read, “The Situation Room’s observation and analysis of the conduct
of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be guided by the
Credibility
The threshold
for the 2023 General Election, was produced and shared with election
stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
ahead of the elections.
“The
Credibility Threshold document identified issues and factors that could cause
the 2023 general election to fall below, remain within, or go beyond the
standard established by previous elections. It also outlined expectations from
stakeholders to mitigate issues that constitute key risks to the credibility of
the general election. The Situation Room will further take into cognizance the
contemporary electoral and security environment in assessing the polls.
Situation Room, therefore, notes the following:
“Situation
Room expects that INEC has taken lessons from the challenges experienced during
the Presidential and National Assembly elections of 25th February 2023 and that
the Commission has made adequate arrangements to forestall the recurrence of
the gaps observed during the elections. Situation Room also expects that the
glitches that led to the malfunctioning of the INEC Result Viewing Portal
(IReV) have been resolved and that the issues that occasioned the inability of
the Commission to conduct elections in some polling units and late opening of
polls in others have been addressed.
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“In
particular, the Situation Room calls on INEC to address the shortages in the
number of ad hoc staff available for the elections, make adequate
transportation arrangements, conduct additional training for the ad hoc staff,
and promptly reconfigure and deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System
(BVAS) and other materials required for the elections. Most importantly, ensure
that it communicates promptly to the public any challenges or changes made to
the electoral process.
“Ahead of the
elections, the security situation across the country appears tense, with
reports of violence, kidnap, and assassination in several States including
Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Kano. As such, Situation Room
reminds the Nigeria Police and other security agencies that they have a primary
responsibility to guarantee the safety and security of election officials as
well as other election stakeholders, including voters, polling agents, election
observers, the media, and service providers. Security agencies should take
adequate measures to forestall the recurrence of acts of voter suppression,
disruption of voting, and outright violence experienced in some places during
the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“Furthermore,
the Situation Room calls on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to
ensure that they are non-partisan, and professional and will avoid any actions
capable of being interpreted as acting in support of any political interest.
Circulation of smear campaigns and desperations has intensified in this
election, particularly on social media. The Situation Room specifically calls
on political parties to conduct themselves peacefully and to discourage
violence by their supporters. Parties are reminded that there is a need to
respect and abide by the Peace Accord signed by them. Situation Room will be
tracking violent incidents across the States. Perpetrators and masterminds will
be called out for investigations and punitive measures in line with Section 92
(5-8) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The
Situation Room notes that the current situation in the country has not been
particularly positive, especially as citizens face severe hardship owing to,
among other things, fuel and Naira scarcity and the disappointment with the
conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The Situation Room
however urges citizens to recognize this March 18, elections as very key; the
positions being contested will determine to a large extent, grassroots
development. Citizens should continue to show patriotism and patience by coming
out to cast their votes, and by peacefully conducting themselves.”
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