Polls: CSOs Concern Over Violence

BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – A coalition of over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), on Saturday, expressed concern over the eruption of violence in parts of the country during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The CSOs on the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, called on the security agencies to respond to the challenges.
The Convener of the group, Mr Clement Nwankwo, who made the called in Abuja at a press briefing on the interim report of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, expressed worry over the rising incidences of violence and reported deaths in some states of the country.
He further said; ”At the time of this statement, the ‘Situation Room has received reports of about 16 deaths across eight states: Borno – 2, Bayelsa – 2, Rivers – 6, Yobe – 2, Kogi -2, Ebonyi – 2, Lagos – 1, and Zamfara – 1.”
”In Lagos State, there are reports of disruption of voting by suspected political thugs who have shot in the air in some places and set ballot boxes and paper on fire in others.
“In the Okota, Isolo and Oshodi suburbs of Lagos, there are reports of violence, some caused by non-arrival of INEC officials and materials.
”Situation Room calls on INEC and the security agencies to respond swiftly to these issues and arrest culprits as promised by the Inspector General of Police,” he said.
Nwankwo also said that the Situation Room received reports of incidents of vote buying in some states and therefore called on INEC and security agencies to nip the practice in the bud before it undermined the sanctity of the vote.
He said; ”Nigerians have defied various challenges to exercise their civic responsibility. We call on INEC to do everything to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised and to quickly address outstanding logistical challenge.
”The Situation Room calls on voters to continue to be law abiding and to report through appropriate channels, challenges with the process.”