It’s not going to be business as usual –Civil Group blows hot

…Sends Warning to security agencies, others

By Henry Uche

Ahead of Saturday gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections,  Equity International Initiative (IEI), a Civil Society Organization, has avowed that it would not be business as usual, hence Nigerians this time, would not tolerate any form of electoral fraud.

The statement came even as the dust of February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections is yet to settle as aggrieved parties and their candidates have approached the Tribunal to seek redress over what they called “broadway electoral robbery”.

At a press conference held in Lagos yesterday, the Country Director of the group, Chris Iyama, alerted that Nigerians are more emboldened to exercise their Civic responsibility come Saturday and are ready to fight (literally) anybody or group who want to thwart the wishes of the masses.

Iyama cautioned security agencies particularly the Nigerian Police, to beware and never repeat the unprofessional conduct displayed during the presidential elections, but should act not only responsibly but decisively and professionally.

“We’ve witnessed what we describe as rape of democracy in the just concluded presidential elections. We saw the provocation of the citizens, we saw violence against Nigerians, sponsored by evil and corrupt politicians.

“It’s not going to be business as usual. INEC is being watched likewise the security agencies and their personnel. Nigerians are more emboldened and determined to fight for their rights. Nobody can intimidate another.

“Looking  back, the presidential election Petition Tribunal has been set and is expected to entertain grievances and dissatisfaction of political parties and their candidates who participated in the polls and are not convinced that the conduct was free, fair and credible in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’S Manual for the conduct of the 2023 General Elections.

“Nigerians expect that theTribunal will deal justly and equitably, and must be seen to give fair hearing to all parties who have filed in their petitions. The decisions of the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal is expected to be in line with the law, wishes and yearnings of Nigerians.

He maintained that Nigerians do not expect anything less than a perfect outing, saying that INEC officials at all levels to in their own best interest refuse all kinds of inducements from unscrupulous and corrupt politicians, adding that failure to do so would have them account to Nigerians. 

“Reported widespread underaged voting in some states in Northern Nigeria during the last polls should not be tolerated. There should be increased deployment of security forces to forestall the use of state sponsored thugs, as were used in harassing, intimidating and in some instances kill innocent voters, and disruption of elections as was the case in Lagos State, River State, Akwa Ibom and Imo.

“We condemn any attempt to use the military to intimidate and harass voters or escort election results and not allow the Nigerian police perform their constitutional duties. We call on the Military High Command to act responsibly in defense of Nigeria’s Democracy and integrity by not interfering with the electoral process.

“We caution INEC to take precaution as there are deliberate plans by some compromised INEC officials to help correct, adjust over voting, transfer votes scored of one political party to favour another political party and deliberate mutilation of result sheets. We remind INEC that these same acts were widely reported during the February polls, hence measures should be taken in order not to make mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process in the eyes of the world.”

The group called on the international communities to place Visa embargo on any person or group of persons who used or is planning to use their offices to interfere  and perpetuate election violence.

“We therefore call on the international community not to recognize and legitimize any person or persons who will fraudulently rig his or her way into office as doing so will imply acceptance and accomplice to illegality which may undermine the goodwill of law abiding citizens.

“We call for security sanction on movement on Saturday March 18th, 2023, for Rivers State Governors: Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Udom, and Yahaya Bello to prevent them and their sponsored thugs from perpetrating crimes against humanity again.”

They called for the resignation or removal of INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, as this is the only way to restore confidence in the Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections.

“We call on the Military High Command to again ensure that Nigerians do not see unsolicited presence of military officers around different polling units and collation centers harassing or intimidating voters.

“We call on the electorate to come out en masse and vote as we expect INEC to redeem itself by ensuring a transparent, credible, free and fair elections. We discourage unlawful and destructive activities capable of undermining peace and National Security.

“Having felt the impulse of Nigerians as the country boils, people are just being civil with the hope that the Judiciary being the last bastion of hope for the common man will play their role with fairness and equity.

“We call on the election Tribunal judges and justices of supreme court to look at the evidences that will be provided by aggrieved parties and dispense Justice. We urge the Judiciary to shun every overtures from corrupt politicians by ways of financial inducement, threats, and blackmails and do what is right for the country and for posterity sake, ” he charged.