Victor Ezeja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have condemned the spate of attacks on opposition leaders and supporters in different states by anti-democratic forces in the country, demanding a stop to the disturbing trend.
There have been cases of attacks on political leaders and supporters in different states since election campaigns started in late September this year.
On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar was attacked in Maiduguri, Borno State on their way to Ramat Square, venue of the party’s presidential rally.
Atiku alongside his running mate, and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, among other chieftains of the party had paid a courtesy call to the Palace of the Shehu of Borno and was on their way to the rally when the incident occured.
Several vehicles in the convoy of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council were vandalised. According to the spokesperson for Atiku’s campaign council, Dino Melaye said about 174 supporters were injured in the process while over one hundred vehicles in the convoy were damaged by the attackers.
Reacting to the incident, the NNPP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major, described the attack as outrageous, barbaric and repulsive one, insisting that it was intended to undermine the nation’s emerging democracy by intimidating opposition forces.
The party said it had experienced similar act of political intolerance when two of its secretariats in Maiduguri were sealed off by the police ahead of the presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s visit to commission them.
The party which said it is a national embarrassment, called on the National Peace Committee led by former head of state, General Abdulsami Abubakar to intervene by convening an emergency meeting of the leaders of political parties and their presidential candidates.
Political Parties, their presidential candidates and other stakeholders in the country had prior to commencement of campaigns, signed Peace Accord to maintain a peaceful conduct during the campaigns and the polls.
“NNPP calls on all lovers of constitutional rule to condemn and resist this dastardly act by anti-democratic forces that want to foist the rule of might and thuggery in place of our cherished rule of law, tolerance and unity in diversity.
“This latest attack on the foundations of the nation’s frail democracy shows the level of desperation and intolerance of opposition political parties by the outgoing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State,” part of the NNPP statement read.
On its part, INEC, while announcing the attacks on its offices in Ogun and Osun States on Thursday, described the attacks on supporters of various political parties as worrisome since campaigns started.
It also condemened the use of hate languages by some politicians which fuels acrimony and hits up the polity ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The commission said it will convene an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security on Friday (today) to discuss the matter.
“The rising incidents of attacks on supporters of various political parties since the commencement of campaigns barely two months ago and the use of hate and incendiary language by some politicians are extremely disturbing.
“Accordingly, the Commission has convened an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) tomorrow Friday 11th November 2023 to discuss the disturbing trend,” part of the statement signed by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee indicated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
