Investigate Ekiti By-Election Violence – Senate Tasks IGP Adamu
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Nigerian Senate has tasked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to conduct full scale investigation into the election violence that trailed the Saturday, March 20, 2021 House of Assembly by-elections in Ekiti State.
This is as the upper legislative chamber held a minute silence in honour of the victims who lost their lives or suffered injuries in the crisis.
The charge on IGP Adamu was part of the Senate resolutions after considering a motion sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South).
In presenting her motion, Senator Olujimi recalled that the Ekiti East Constituency 1 seat in the State House of Assembly became vacant following the death of Mr Iuwa Adegbuyi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixing Saturday, March 20, 2021 for the by-election
According to her; “the exercise, which commenced on a good note in a peaceful and orderly manner, was suddenly disrupted at noon when hoodlums invaded the polling centres to snatch ballot boxes.”
The lawmaker further said; “in the process no fewer than three persons were feared dead and many others injured in Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State.”
She further stated that; “no election is worth the blood of any Nigerian as democracy is the government of the people and the people should therefore be allowed to make their choices through their votes.”
Consequently, the Senator urged the Federal Government to always ensure the safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials during elections if Nigeria must move forward and join the rank of great democracies across the globe.
The ranking lawmaker, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the Electoral Act amendment Bill; and Electoral Offences Commission Bill currently before as part of measure to forestall future ugly occurrences in the nation’s electoral space.
Pushing for its resolution, the Red chamber said the Nigeria Police should leave nothing to chance in ensuring perpetrators of the dastardly act are apprehended and brought to book.
