As political campaigns intensify and enter a crucial stage ahead of the 2023 general election in Nigeria, there are concerns among stakeholders that the wave of violence could undermine the credibility of the poll.
They are, therefore, asking the contenders to play by the rule and ensure violence-free polls.
In the last few weeks, since electioneering started, there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of violent attacks on parties’ campaign trains and also on the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Observers say it is the worst possible start– one of the highest witnessed in the last two decades.
There is increasing fear among observers that with the recent amendment to the Electoral Act, to guarantee electronic transmission of results and the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), measures expected to drastically check electoral fraud and give credibility to the electoral process, politicians may be looking at the next easy way out to undermine the process.
Observers also fear that part of politicians’ desperate tactics could be to engage thugs to disrupt elections in opponents’ strongholds and scare people away from coming out to vote, which would ultimately give them advantage.
There are reports that many politicians have equally threatened to deploy violence against their opponents to aid their victory at the poll.
Although some would say it is not new, as desperation among politicians to win at all cost has been fingered to be one of the reasons for the spate of violence that have characterised elections in the country.
For example, in the 2019 presidential poll, in Okota, a town in the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, which is a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), several touts alleged to be members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), intimidated, wounded and scared away several PDP supporters and party members from voting.
Also, hundreds of electoral materials, including ballot papers were burned and INEC officials chased away from performing their duties in the area.
Observers had alleged that it was a calculated attempt by the ruling party to undermine the process and aid their victory. As such, there are increasing concerns that a similar situation may repeat itself in several parts of Lagos and across the country.
Despite repeated assurances to Nigerians by the INEC that it was prepared to conduct free and fair polls next year, stakeholders are still concerned about the commission’s readiness and capacity for the task ahead.
Part of the fears stems from the worsening insecurity situation across the country and the after effect it would have on conducting credible polls, especially voter turnout, security of INEC officials and election materials in several violence-prone locations.
Experts say it is not an understatement to declare that the country is currently at war against itself, with the continued spate of attacks, kidnapping for ransom and killings in several parts of the country, especially in Northern Nigeria.
Nigeria’s leading political actors and political parties have been accused of being culpable; using several measures to guarantee their success at the polls, while failing to prevent their supporters and members from engaging in violent acts.
In the last two decades, the spate of violence and hooliganism has undermined the credibility of elections in Nigeria and also frustrated efforts to deepen gender inclusion.
Last week, the Federal Government noted that the spate of violence associated with electioneering ahead of 2023 poll poses a threat to the successful conduct of the elections.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, warned politicians at the quarterly consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja recently.
Represented by Sanusi Galadima, the NSA, however, said security agencies were strategising on new measures to counter the rising wave of violence in the polity.
“The NSA has observed the violent dimensions of electioneering campaigns, which characterise attacks on campaign rallies, political campaign offices as well as the passing of uncomplimentary remarks and uncouth utterances among politicians which were recently witnessed in some states.
“All these signal threats to the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections in February,” he said.
Similarly, some days ago, the United States government threatened to sanction anyone who interferes with the democratic process or instigates violence in the 2023 general elections.