By now, political parties are on the last lap of their campaigns, having traversed the nooks and crannies of the country, seeking for votes for the February 25, 2023 general elections and others that may follow thereafter. It is understandable too, that the electorates may have equally made up their minds on who to vote for, having listened to all that the political gladiators have to say these past months. The question of brigandage and thuggery usually perpetrated by street urchins and the so-called political thugs still remains a cause for concern as Nigerians await the outcome of 2023 general elections. The orgy of violence while the campaigns lasted, has become a source of worry. For example, party members across board had come under attacks in Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna, and since that time, no arrest has been made to the knowledge of the general public. Few months ago, an accord was reached and signed by all the political parties, for a peaceful campaign and conduct, during and after the elections by the presidential candidates of the parties. With the recent attacks by yet to be identified party thugs on innocent party members, even in broad daylight, one wonders if the political parties, as it stands, are still committed to the Abuja Peace Accord which all concerned subscribed to.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), worried by the development, had asked the International Criminal Court (ICC), to promptly put its legal team on the alert, and to commence the investigation of Nigeria on pre electoral violence without further delay. Other concerned groups too have expressed worry on how low some political parties and their followers have degenerated into, even with high level sensitization campaign both in the rural and urban centres to eschew political violence. The 2023 general elections in Nigeria have been described by political pundits as a watershed in the political history of the country because of the tension and anxiety it has generated in the country. It is also an election everyone is looking forward to, including the International Community. The election outcome is expected to heal the wounds in the land, arising from sharp division, hunger, deprivation, incessant killings, unemployment, insecurity, religious intolerance, inequality, tribalism, nepotism and many other vices running riot in the society, especially at this time. That over 93million Nigerians, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have registered and are possibly ready to cast their ballots in this year’s election shows how seriously this election is being taken by Nigerians. It is indeed a wakeup call for the electoral umpire and all other authorities concerned, especially the security agencies to ensure that the right thing is done.
The promotion, acquisition of operational equipment and redeployment of new Police Commissioners across the states should reflect on the activities of the police in policing the states. It is disheartening for non state actors to be more powerful than the state. There is no way Nigeria will be the same if this election is toyed with. The fact that people are hungry and deprived already based on what everyone can see is enough evidence for anyone to be guided accordingly, especially those who are in a position to take critical decisions concerning these elections. We have heard leaders of political parties speak. We have also seen what is going on in the society. We have equally listened to unverified audio tape of a community leader here in Lagos threatening the people of his community on who to vote and not to vote for. It is common knowledge that everyone is hungry, meaning that any little mistake, adding to the existing one on ground could possibly snowball to a bigger scale. God forbid! This coming week and the next are critical for the country. This is the time for the law enforcement agents to wake up and discharge their statutory duties. The show of force we watch on television by the security agencies should manifest this time in physical term. Those whose stock in trade is to kill and maim others should be stopped and prevailed upon to desist from it. The rising cases of political thuggery where no one is apprehended and punished is disturbing. Let the government tackle the monster of political violence and make those who support and sponsor them, no matter how highly placed to face the music. Democracy which the country adopted as a form of government is a matter of choice. No one should be compelled against his/her will if indeed we live in a free society which many still doubt.
Nigerians are tired. For the simple reason that almost all the states in the country have had its own share of violence is enough for the political gladiators and their supporters to give peace a chance, at least, for people to cast their votes without molestation. Yes, President Muhammadu Buhari has promised free and fair elections; even the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has also said so, but it is important to state here that, credible elections begin with peaceful and conducive atmosphere. The Federal government at this time should be concerned with the feelings of the people by creating an enabling environment upon which free and fair elections would thrive. We can’t have peaceful elections when some people are allowed to wield machete and other dangerous weapons, freely going about intimidating others. If that continues, it would translate to paying lip service to all the promises of hitch free elections. Security agents should please wake up before it is too late for all of us. The country should not be allowed to slide, not at all!
