Amnesty International vows to expose sponsors of election violence

Push for sanctions including visa bans

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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to identify and expose sponsors of electoral violence and vote-buying, regardless of their political influence, warning that those responsible must face prosecution and possible international sanctions.

The organisation said it would document violations and present credible evidence to national and international authorities for accountability, including consideration of targeted sanctions such as visa bans and asset freezes.

In a statement, Chairman of Amnesty International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, called on the government to ensure independent investigations into electoral offences and prosecute those responsible, while providing protection for victims and witnesses.

He also urged journalists, civil society organisations, election observers and members of the public to report electoral violations safely and preserve evidence that could support investigations.

Amnesty International described electoral violence and vote-buying as violations of human rights that undermine democracy, insisting that political influence must not shield perpetrators from justice.

“Nigerian lives are not expendable, votes are not for sale, and political power must never shield perpetrators,” Rafsanjani said.

The organisation stressed that its accountability efforts would cover both perpetrators and sponsors of electoral offences, regardless of their political standing.

It declared: “No impunity, no exceptions!”