Introduction
With barely one week to Nigeria’s general elections in April, key drivers of election-related violence remain unaddressed and could potentially mar the credibility of the elections. In the last two weeks political intolerance, thuggery, overstretched security, absent security strategy and accountability mechanism, ethnic and religious bigotry have escalated violence in many parts of the country. Together with a long history of political violence, the weak response from security agencies and government at all levels suggest that election-related violence may reach new levels in April.
Whilst the Police Authorities have expressed their readiness to confront and address these security challenges, regular reports from newspapers, international advocacy groups, Nigerian NGOs and Community-based organizations have continued to raise alarm on security threats and weak capacity of security agencies to respond adequately. Incidences of violence, assault and even murder have continued to trail various party campaigns and other political activities.
Continuing challenges to security of the elections
Election related violence have been known to peak three to four weeks before elections and on voting days in Nigeria. Post election violence often also breakout to protest rigged and/or suspected results. In the last three weeks violent outbreaks have escalated in many states as intra and inter-party combustions resulting in deaths and destruction of properties. On several occasions political parties, party thugs and candidates have been pointed as major actors. Similarly, inadequate number of security men and women and slow response has allowed clashes to degenerate leading to use of dangerous weapons. Security men and women are often forced to leave violence scenes to avoid being harmed. Many reported cases of violence have not been investigated and suspected perpetrators continue to walk as free men and women spreading more fear and intimidation in their communities.
The intolerance being exhibited by political parties during campaigns have led to series of conflict/ violent situations in the country. The following are examples of such incidents:
- Kano State: ANPP and ACN gubernatorial candidates supporters clashing in Kano Municipal Local Governmental;
- ACN and PDP supporters clashing in Gboko and Makurdi which led to the destruction of properties and looting of the ACN secretariat in Makurdi;
- PDP and ACN party supporters clashed in Uyo Akwa Ibom State;
- In Abia State, a clash between PPA and PDP supporters at Item and Ozuitem axis which resulted to loss of one life;
- Physical assault on opponents is a trend in Rivers State. The APGA governorship candidate Celestine Omehia was attacked in Ogbakiri, Hon. Emma Okah and Chief Shedrack Akalokwu were also attacked in the State.
From the information gathered from CSOs working in different States, possible areas of conflicts that need the attention of the ICCES, the NPF and the State Security Services are:
- Abia State: Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Ugwunabo, Osisioma, Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Governments. These areas are potentially volatile because many of the opposition candidates are from here. Isiala Ngwa north and Isiala Ngwa South LGAs in the Central zone have a history of electoral violence in the State. In the Abia north zone Bende (the home stead of the former governor Orji Uzor Kalu), Umunneochi and Ohafia are potential flash points because of the possibility of clashes between PPA and PDP.
- Baylesa / Rivers State: Opkuma and Nembe: the two main contestants – PDP and Labour party are from these areas. Other possible volatile areas are: Okrika, Emohua, Buguma, Obio Akpor and Gokhana – they are historically linked to political violence and killings in Rivers State.
- Lagos State: potentially violent situation in Idi Oro, Mushin. The situation is portrayed as a clash between rival members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) however the underlying issue seems to be disagreement over disbursement of funds which is being circulated by politicians to recruit party thugs in preparations for the 2011 general elections.
- Kano State: all the local government areas in Kano Central Senatorial District; Bichi, Rinim Gado, Makoda, Danbatta, Tofa, Dawakin Tofa, Kunchi and Gwarzo LGAs in Kano North Senatorial District. These LGAs have a history of electoral violence; Karaye, Albasu, Wudil, Takai, Dawakin Kudu, Goguwa and Tundun Wada LGAs in Kano South Senatorial District.
- Plateau State: Ungwan Rukuba, Nassarawa Gwom, Ungwa Rogo, Farin Gada, Tundun Wada, Dogon Karfe and Bauchi Road, Bukuru are potential volatile spots in the State.
- Benue State: Makurdi town, Gboko, Kwande, Buruku, Ogabadibo, Logo, Ado
The spate of violence witnessed in many parts of the country over the last two weeks exposes the inadequacy in many security plans. It has declared as inefficient and ineffective any strategy the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) may have in place and calls for urgent review. Under the current situation, combined efforts of security agencies, politicians and candidates must be harvested and deployed to foil plans for further violence by political jobbers who act as middlemen and perpetrators of violence.
Options for urgent response
Prof. Attahiru Jega has promised and repeatedly reassured Nigerians that the Commission will not hesitate to cancel, outrightly or in part, any election suspected to be rigged or evidently marred by violence. This is the time for action from INEC to send clear signal that it means business. A clear signal will increase the cost of violence for both sides (incumbents and opposition) engaged in election-related violence and help to check politicians and candidates who would stop at nothing.
The Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, last week, announced a ban and declared as offence for any policeman to escort candidates to cast their votes or observe conduct of elections on voting. This is a welcome development to stem confrontations and tension that often results and lead to violence on election days. But the ban must be extended to political thugs, vigilante groups and private security apparatus now in many states.
INEC should, in partnership with civil society and well meaning Nigerians currently engaged in peace building and mobilisation efforts across the country, document evidence of violence for prosecuting offenders. The worsening spate of election-related violence is a reminder of the urgent need to establish election offence tribunals as further disincentive for violence during elections in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that the National Assembly killed this and many other far reaching recommendations during the electoral reform process. The time is ripe and auspicious to recommence deliberations on the matter. In the short term, special courts may be designated for the purpose.
The Police must commence full investigation into all election-related violence since preparations for the April elections commenced with determination to prosecute all offenders. Without clear commitment to electoral accountability and electoral justice Nigeria and Nigerians cannot truly expect politicians and other major actors in the electoral violence in the country to play by the rules. Suffice to state here that countries with robust democratic culture and history of conducting free and fair elections have been able to do so as a result of emphasis on rule of law and accountability.
In addition, we recommend that INEC, IGP and NSA (with ICCES) and civil society organisations including media must quickly:
- Embark on sustained messaging on peaceful elections. Series of voice over message for radio and television from INEC, politicians, candidates, religious and opinion leaders can be used to reach political supporters ahead of the elections
- The ICCES should deploy adequate security men and women to hot spots and put in place back up plans in case of emergency;
- ICCES, INEC and CSOs must quickly undertake a scenario plan for post-election violence and put in place adequate response plan;
- INEC should consider deploying senior Nigerians as elections observers;
- Prof. Attahiru Jega should announce and restate, on regular basis, the Commission’s resolve to cancel elections wherever there is evidence of violence and rigging and prosecute offenders;
- INEC should collaborate with Journalist and media houses to monitor and document voting across the country;
- Mr. President and major candidates across the country should address their supporters, on regular basis, through radio, television and social networks to eschew violence and report any act of violence to security agencies;
8. Media houses should partner opinion leaders, politicians and candidates to reach out to the public
- Document and publish incidences of violence so far recorded
10. Clarify or correct the directive on whether citizens are allowed to carry mobile video phones and other electronic devises to polling centres
11. Publish telephone numbers, hotlines and key contact persons that can be reached during election days and through which critical incidents requiring immediate attention can be channelled,
12. Massive public enlightenment on the voting procedure which has been adopted by the Commission;
13. Communicate accountability measures for security officials on elections and publish guidelines for accessing and invoking it;
In the long term,
- INEC should partner with key citizen groups and security agencies to advocate for establishment of election offences tribunal,
- INEC should work with relevant international and local partners for support to prosecute electoral offences
This briefing is a weekly production of ‘CSO Working Party on Security and the 2011 Elections’. The underlisted are member organizations:
- Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Abuja
- Alliance for Credible Elections, Abuja
- Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress, Maiduguri
- Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, Kano
- CLEEN Foundation, Abuja
- Civil Resources Development and Documentation Centre (CIRRDOC)
- Institute for Community Policing, Port Harcourt
- League of Human Rights, Jos
- Network of National Human Rights Institute – West Africa
- Open Society Initiative West Africa (OSIWA)
- Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI)
- Transition Monitoring group (TMG)