BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigeria Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Situation Room on the conduct of the 2019 Governorship, State Assembly elections has expressed serious concern about the excessive and intimidating deployment of military and security personnel throughout the 2019 Nigeria General Elections.
The CSOs at a press conference in Abuja which was addressed by the Convener of the Situation Room, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, noted that under section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, security personnel can only be involved in electoral duty as requested by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),. The CSOs states; “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 and protection of election officials.”
The Situation Room statement which was jointly signed by Y.Z Yau, who is the Alternate Chair, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Barrister Esther Uzoma, Alternate Chair, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said it has continued to voice its concern with the level of deployment of the military in the elections, stressing that the level of deployment of military arsenal including fighter jets and attack helicopters remains a serious concern for the CSOs.
According to Nwankwo; “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 Ibom State. In Okrika LGA there are reports of military interference in the process.
The situation room also said that despite the high deployment, there 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 journalists were kidnapped in Ahaoda West LGA of Rivers State.
Nwankwo further said; “We had seven deaths so far today. Two in Egbe Yagba in Kogi and the others in Rivers States including Emilia Gilbert a former Chairperson of Andoni LGA.”
The Situation Room reiterated its earlier position that no election should cost the life of any Nigerian and therefore called on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute all election offenders irrespective of their party affiliation.
It also called on political actors to call their supporters to exercise restraint.
The CSOs said there were reported widespread incidences of vote buying across the country, adding that this could undermine the credibility of the outcome of the election.
It specifically said that Sokoto, Zamfara, Ekiti, Kebbi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ondo and Borno States among others have reported cases of vote buying.
