The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it’s in talks with political parties in the country to ensure that the governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states are hitch-free without violence.
The electoral umpire has fixed the off-season governorship election in the three states for November 11, 2023, amidst concerns among some Nigerians that the elections will be trailed by thuggery and killings.
Ahead of the election in the three states, leaders have sued for peace, appealing to politicians to ensure that INEC conducts the election in a peaceful atmosphere.
For instance, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, recently warned that politicians will be held responsible for any act of violence during the upcoming election in Bayelsa state.
The warning was contained in a communique signed by IYC President, Dr. Alayi Theophilus, who urged politicians to shun acts that are capable of creating tension in the state, even as the election draws closer.
The communiqué reads, “It is our firm belief that the lives and safety of Ijaw citizens should always supersede political considerations and electoral processes. We shall hold politicians responsible if any Ijaw life is lost during and after the election.
“The IYC shall not fold her arms to see that the existing peace we enjoy in the state is damaged. We advise all politicians to shun hate speeches and focus on telling us their manifestos. Our lives are worth more than any political ambition.”
In Imo state, not a few Nigerians are concerned that the election would be violent considering recent happenings in the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led state.
For instance, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the state was awoken by the attack on security operatives comprising soldiers, police, and Civil Defence Corps in the Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Council, by gunmen who laid siege in the area.
The Biafran Revolution Army, which claimed responsibility for the attack, later vowed in a viral video to undertake more attacks, and ensure no election is held in Imo State on November 11 or any other part of “Biafra land.”
The situation is not different in Kogi state where political parties are trading words over an alleged plot to disrupt the election.
Last week, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. of importing thugs from Jigawa and Nasarawa states to unleash violence in the state ahead of the election.
The APC however denied the allegation.
The Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC has however called on political parties to ensure that the elections are without violence.
According to a statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the electoral umpire appealed to participating political parties to shun actions and utterances capable of disrupting the elections, he said INEC is “concerned about the spate of insecurity and violence” in the three states few weeks to the election.
INEC said “The commission is concerned about the spate of insecurity and violence, including clashes among supporters of political parties and candidates in the forthcoming elections.
“In our engagement with political parties, the commission has constantly called on parties to rein in their supporters from actions capable of jeopardising the peaceful conduct of elections in Nigeria.
“INEC earnestly appeals to all political parties and candidates to avoid utterances and acts that may heat up the polity. The commission will continue to closely monitor the situation and sustain its engagement with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure peaceful conduct of elections in the three states.”
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