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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Despite assurances by the Federal Government and INEC, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has expressed worry over the wave of killings, kidnappings and wanton destruction of property belonging to the electoral umpire, saying if such acts are allowed to continue it could truncate the polls in some states.
Director of CDD, Idayat Hassan, in a statement, yesterday, also identified hate speeches by presidential candidates and the difficulty in the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards in some areas as some of the problems that could impinge the poll.
Hassan said a research conducted by Nigeria Election Violence Tracker (CDD) in collaboration with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) Project from November 28 to December 12, showed an increase in the destruction of INEC facilities.
“This research informs the CDD’s concern that the required level of public order to support the smooth conduct of elections in several parts of the country has not be attained.
“While ongoing efforts to take the PVC collection process closer to voters at the grassroots are commendable, CDD expresses its utmost concern that the preparations for the elections may be undermined if the growing insecurity across the country is not urgently addressed.
“It is disconcerting that despite the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari mandating the security agencies to secure volatile parts of the country by December, unending waves of attacks by elements contesting the authority of the Nigerian State have not abated.”In the South East, Biafra separatist agitations continue to undermine the peace as separatists’ attack government buildings, while threatening to visit mayhem on voters who dare to show up at their polling units on election day.
“In the South West, pockets of agitations led by Yoruba nation separatists have similarly disrupted public order and peace, while news of the recent abduction of 31 passengers at the train station in Igueben, Edo State, in the South-South is also concerning.
“Ongoing issues ranging from banditry, kidnapping and acts of terrorism in the North makes it apparent that no part of the country can be deemed a safe haven in the face of the challenge of insecurity…There is still enough time before the election to ensure those who deliberately undermine public peace and order are stopped in their tracks and held accountable,” she said.
