The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has blamed voter apathy from the state and Area Council elections to militarization of the exercise as well as poor conduct of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The group also expressed concerns over widespread cases of votes buying in Sokoto, Zamfara, Ekiti, Kebbi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ondo and Borno States among others.
In a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Convener of Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, noted that these incidences could undermine the credibility of the outcome of the election.
He explained that the group received reports from its observers and networks across the country.
According to the convener, the heavy deployment of security personnel for the elections, created fear in the citizenry, adding that citizens are not only worried about the neutrality of security personnel but also the integrity of the electoral process.
Nwankwo said: “It would appear that while logistics preparations for the Governorship and State Legislative elections may have improved from the earlier election of February 23, concern remains that there are still some shortcomings. Reports of late delivery of materials and delayed commencement of polls were received from some States, including Imo State. Situation Room is also concerned about INEC’s handling of its personnel and Ad-hoc staffs. Our observers report multiple cases of protest by INEC officials and Ad-Hoc staffs on issues around welfare in Anthony, Ejigbo, Ketu, Mile 2& Ojudu in Lagos State and Vom in Plateau State.
“Situation Room continues to be concerned about the excessive and intimidating deployment of military and security personnel throughout the 2019 Nigeria General Elections. Under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, security personnel can only be involved in electoral duty as requested by INEC. The Act specifically states: ‘PROVIDED that the Commission shall only request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials andprotection of election officials’.
“The Situation Room continues to voice its concern with the level of deployment of the military in the elections. The level of deployment of military arsenal including fighter jets and attack helicopters remains a serious concern for us. Indications from the field on the low voter turn-out points to concerns from citizens on the military deployment. There are reports of observers and poll officials being arrested across Oruk Anam LGA of Akwa Ibom State by Military and police personnel with phones and other personnel effects being confiscated. There are reports of the Military arresting poll officials and carting away materials in Ini LGA of Akwa IbomState. In Okrika LGA there are reports of military interference in the process.
“The Situation Room is concerned that despite this high deployment we are still having pockets of violence. In Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State suspected thugs were reported to have set fire to election materials at the RAC. In Etinan LG in Akwa Ibom State Youth Corp members were attacked by suspected thugs while voting materials were snatched and a police officer shot in Odukpan LG of Cross River state. Six (6) Journalists were kidnapped in Ahaoda West LGA of Rivers State. We had seven (7) deaths so far today. Two (2) in Egbe Yagba in Kogi and the others in RiversStates including Emilia Gilbert a former Chairperson of Andoni LGA”.
While calling on political actors to call on their supporters to exercise restraint, he also urged the electoral body to ensure that the collation of results at the ward, local government and state levels are in line its own guidelines and extant laws.
Situation Room is a coalition of over 70 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
