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The Albino Foundation Africa(TAF Africa) has called on the Inspector-General of Police to carry out investigations into the spate of attacks on journalists in the governorship and State Assembly elections.
TAF Africa made the call in its Post-election press statement on the Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.
Board member, TAF Africa, Zainab Suleiman, said that the foundation deployed 340 observers in the 28 states that conducted the elections on March 18th .
“We heard with great dismay the attacks on journalists and other media professionals that covered the elections in some parts of the country including Lagos ,Ogun and Rivers States.
“We wish to state emphatically that such incidents, whatever the motivation are highly condemnable, unjustifiable and indeed a dent in the sanctity of the principle of media freedom .
‘We hereby call on the IGP to carry out investigations and ensure that the perpetrators of these wicked act are brought to book. ”
Suleiman said that TAF Africa was concerned with the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide assistive tools for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the poling units with registered PWD voters.
She said that the foundation expected that the provision of the Electoral Act mandating INEC to provide such materials would be sufficiently implemented.
She said that unfortunately, the obligation was treated with laxity in most polling units with registered PWDs thereby frustrating their participation in the electoral process.
Suleiman said TAF Africa observed the inadequate deployment of assistive materials.
She said that TAF Africa called for a proper audit of the distribution of assistive devices to be carried out to ascertain what the cause and gaps were that led to the poor availability of assistive materials.
She said that TAF Africa observers noted early arrival of INEC officials at polling units.
She, however, said that the 2023 general elections were ruined by the lack of transparency expected of a credible poll ,weak inclusivity and lack of restraints from political parties and their supporters.
She said that this exacerbated political tension ,divisiveness and violence at various polling units across the country and the action undermined the democratic progress Nigeria had made over the years .
Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, Board chair, TAF Africa, said that the Foundation called on INEC to conduct a thorough scrutiny of polling units, where elections did not take place to establish the reasons .
Anigbogu said INEC should communicate with the public on polling units across the country, where the election did not hold and ensure the process was concluded in those locations before returns are made .
He said that security agencies should properly investigate polling units that experienced political violence and thuggery and make sure that justice is served .
“TAF Africa calls on citizens to maintain the peace and patience so far demonstrated in the electoral process and await the official release of the results.
“We appeal to everyone to refrain from any acts that could incite violence, we call on all aggrieved parties to pursue well-established constitutional and legal remedies available to them to seek redress.”
