The Federal Government (FG) has deployed a number of security services as part of moves to protect the Independent National Electoral Commission assets ahead of the 2023 election.
FG deployed namely the Department of State Services’ personnel, soldiers, civil defence corps operatives as well as Federal Fire Service personnel in INEC offices nationwide.
The meeting was in response to the attacks on the INEC offices in the states of Ogun and Osun last week as well as other incidents of physical violence by party supporters in the states of Borno, Kaduna, Zamfar and others.
Speaking at the meeting with chairmen of leading political parties at the Force headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, November 17, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba disclosed anumber of 52 recorded violence cases just in six weeks.
“The second form of political violence manifests in the form of inter-party intolerance and violence which often become particularly pronounced during campaigns, elections and post-elections phases.
“It is on record that not less than 52 cases of such politically-motivated, intra, and inter-party violence have been recorded across 22 states since the official commencement of campaigns for the 2023 general election on 28th September, 2022.”
He also indicated that the Nigeria Police Force working in collaboration with other security agencies have resolved to enhance intelligence gathering, share and utilise same to stem acts of political violence which have assumed an increasing dimension in recent weeks.
Some attendees of the meeting included the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, the national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, and chieftains from other parties.
Other participants at the meeting included the National INEC Commissioner, Ms May Agbamuche-Mbo; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; the DG, Defence Intelligence Agency, Maj Gen. Samuel Adebayo; a representative of the DG, DSS and other paramilitary agencies.
Teams according to the Inspector General have been drawn from the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Civil and Security Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service to take decisive lawful action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.
Adding that those already arrested would face prosecution, noting, however, that despite all these initiatives, it was recognised that the leadership of each political party was critical in eradicating the menace of political intolerance, threat, violence and other negative tendencies in the democratic culture.
Baba during his speech also made some accusations against some governors of sponsoring thugs to incite violence.
He therefore vowed that prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution will be taken against offenders as it is in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.
The IG stated, “This meeting became expedient following a noticeable trend within the national political space which, if not promptly addressed could evolve into a potent threat to not just our national security but the electoral process.”
‘’Drawing from the experiences of the past, electoral violence both in the process leading to an election as well as the fallout of elections, has always constituted the most dangerous threat to our democracy,” he added.
