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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives, yesterday, resolved to constitute a committee to probe cases of political violence across the country, in the run-up to the 2027 general election.
The panel, which is to consist of the House Committees on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence would be headed by a principal officer and is expected to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of political violence in the country and report back to the House within three weeks.
The parliament also condemned all acts of violence, intimidation, assault and destruction of property connected with political rallies, processions, meetings and other lawful political activities, regardless of the party or persons affected.
It urged political parties, candidates for the 2027 polls and their supporters “to reject inflammatory rhetoric, discourage violence and cooperate with the security agencies in preserving public peace.”
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by the Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi and 16 others, on the need “to arrest the rising violence during political campaign activities.”
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Agbedi, while leading debate on the motion, stated that though section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees everyone the freedom of association and assembly, there have been reports of violence and disruption of political activities in different parts of the country.
According to him, the reports include “the disruption of political meetings in Enugu State on September 21, where police said two attendees were injured and one allegedly killed; an attack on APC supporters travelling to a rally in Katsina State on October 28, after which police said 14 suspects were arrested.”
He added that there was also reports of “violence at an APC rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on November 4, where many people were reportedly injured and a violent incident during a political procession in Asaba, Delta State, on November 7, which police said left one person dead and five others injured as well as Calabar, Cross Rivers State.”
The lawmaker expressed worry that “attacks, intimidation and destruction of property connected to political activities may cause further loss of lives and injury, discourage citizens from participating in lawful political activities and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.”
Therefore, Agbedi called for an impartial and thorough investigation of all the allegations in connection to the incidents.
