Ahead 202 : INEC Wants Perpetrators Of Violence Prosecuted, Says Campaigns Characterized By Thuggery

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has disclosed that since political activities kick-started ahead 2023 general elections, there have been a lot of negative activities on the part of politicians.

He said that there has been violence, saying  “As at November 9, this year, we tracked 52 incidence involving a lot of abuses, abusive language, denial of facilities to opposition parties during campaign which involves instructions of physical attack.”

Prof Yakubu disclosed in Lagos on Saturday that “For us, I have said it on several occasions including the emergency meeting with the security agencies that a peaceful campaign is a preclude to peaceful election.

“I am glad that immediately after that emergency meeting in Abuja, the leaders of the political parties agreed in the meeting, but we also agreed that beyond appealing to them to emulate good behaviour, what is paramount is enforcement of the law against violation.

“Anyone who is constituting violence must be seen to be apprehended and be prosecuted as provided by the law. This is the best antidote to bad behaviour.”

The chairman also expressed worries over the persistent attacks on its facilities nationwide, calling for prosecution of perpetrators.

He made the remarks at the One-Day Strategic Consultative Meeting with Media Executives in Lagos, on Saturday, facilitated by INEC in collaboration with the EU Funded Programme “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria”, EU-SDGN and DAI.

According to Yakubu, the persistent attacks has resulted in destruction of the commission’s physical infrastructures, election materials and a threat to the safety and security of its personnel.

While calling on speedy apprehension and immediate prosecution of violators as provided by the law, he appealed to political parties to emulate good behaviour.

He also commended the media practitioners for their immense support in tackling misinformation and fake news.

“In the area of election Security, the persistent attack around facilities nationwide is a bit source of concern.

“Damaging of physical infrastructure, election materials, a threat to the safety and security of our personnel worry us a lot.

“In the last four months, five, now six of our local government offices were attacked, two in Enugu State, the same strategic attack and method was used in Abeokuta South Local Area of Ogun and Osun States.

“This attack means a lot because the office was renovated by the commission. We moved to the office on Friday but the office was set ablaze on Sunday, two days later.

“We were looking for the best Facilities, best materials for the election including the PVCs and other materials; it is a major source of concern.

“Less than a week after the attack, our office in a Local Government Area in Imo state was attacked.

“Some construction workers were attacked, three of them were not immediately accounted for, but we got the information later that they were reported, no fatalities. After the attack, we replaced the PVCs, we replaced about 2,000 ballot boxes and other facilities.”