Issued in Abuja at 3.00pm: Thursday, 27th May 2021
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) notes with deep concern, the attacks on several offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with its facilities and equipment set ablaze and destroyed. There have been at least six attacks in one month, with recent incidents occurring in the Commission’s head offices in Anambra and Enugu States, and in two local government offices in Imo and Enugu States. Abia, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom States have also been affected by these attacks.
These incidents which have occurred mostly in the South East region of the country raise security concerns, especially in light of the recent frequent attacks on police formations in the region. Recently, police stations in Ugbuodo in Ebonyi State, Iwollo Oghe in Enugu State and Ubakala in Abia State were attacked by gunmen, with police personnel killed in some instances. Situation Room is concerned about the Anambra State 2021 governorship election scheduled for November 11, especially in light of the fact that about 50% of the non-sensitive materials delivered to the Commission’s office in the State were destroyed in the incident. It will be recalled that the INEC office in Anambra State had witnessed a similar incident just before the 2019 general elections, in which a facility housing Smart Card Readers was burnt down. It is also worrisome that a single arrest has not been made in relation to these attacks. These incidents appear to be targeted at sabotaging and undermining the efforts of the Commission.
INEC in its press statements, has assured that it will carry on with its planned activities, including the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) scheduled to begin on June 28, 2021, in spite of the setbacks. However, these recent developments have created uncertainty around the security of the electoral process and the safety of election staff, voters and other election stakeholders. There is equally serious concern over the general security situation in the country with the rising rate of criminality which appears unabated. Situation Room had previously addressed the security situation in the country in a statement. The situation has however continued to deteriorate, with banditry, kidnapping and attacks on security formations on the rise. Security operatives are also culpable in escalating tension from their brute force approach of handling the insecurity in the land. A directive by the Inspector General of Police to security personnel to be ruthless in dealing with criminal elements operating under any guise, has raised some concern about how this may be interpreted and implemented by the security agents.
Situation Room condemns these attacks on INEC offices and police formations in the strongest terms. Elections are a key feature of a democracy. These attacks on the electoral umpire constitute an affront and sabotage to Nigeria’s democracy and should not be taken likely. Security is also essential to credible and peaceful elections, as well as protection of lives and property.
Situation Room calls on the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility of protecting our democracy and citizens. Security agencies are urged as a matter of urgency to beef up security around INEC facilities nationwide, to forestall further attacks and ensure the security of the Commission’s personnel and the electorate at all times. All election stakeholders, community members and the entire Nigerian citizenry are enjoined to play their part by reporting suspicious activities around INEC assets within their localities.
Situation Room also urges government at all levels to take every necessary step to effectively tackle insecurity by ensuring that security agents are well equipped, and their facilities are properly secured.
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SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
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The Situation Room is made up of over seventy Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria. The Steering Committee is made up of: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), African Centre for Entrepreneurship and Information Development (ACEIDEV), Justice Development and Peace Commission (JPDC) Nnewi, ASPILOS Foundation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), MacJim Foundation, Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, EDO CSOs, Young Innovators and Vocational Training Initiative (YVITI), New Initiative for Social Development (NISD).
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