Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo Guber poll: INEC warns parties against violence

…Call your supporters to order, Yakubu blows hot

By Tunde Opalana

The 18 registered political parties that will be participating in the coming November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states have been warned to eschew violence and any act capable of disrupting the electoral process.

The nation’s electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will not tolerate any infraction from the political class that can discredit the conduct of the election and declaration of results.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu read the riot act on Tuesday at a meeting with leadership of political parties in Abuja asked parties to call their supporters to order as INEC could no longer condole the heightened level of violence occasioned by political thugs in past elections .

The meeting which was held Tuesday at its headquarters was part of INEC’s engagement with critical stakeholders to review the 2023 general election.

Professor Yakubu told the party chieftains who are members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) that violence always results in altercation and destruction of party property.

READ ALSO: Niger Assembly warned against impending flood

He urged all political parties to advise their supporters to avoid the use of thugs to disrupt political rallies and campaigns as well as election processes on November 11, 2023.

He said “I also appeal to party leaders for similar introspection on the conduct of your candidates and their supporters. The use of thugs during elections to harass election officials, intimidate voters and disrupt processes, sometimes resulting in the destruction of election materials or even worse must be addressed”.

“Campaign in public by parties and candidates in the three States commenced on 14th July 2023 as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Governorship elections. Sadly, there are already disturbing reports of clashes between opposing parties with claims and counter claims of innocence or culpability. These claims help no one. Call your supporters to order”.

“At the same time, I must also acknowledge the perennial complaints from some political parties that the power of incumbency is used in some States to restrain some parties and candidates from access to public facilities for media campaigns and outdoor advertising through exorbitant fees or outright denial. This often leads to the mutual destruction of advertising materials such as billboards, resulting in altercation and violence involving supporters of opposing political parties”.

Responding, IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Yabagi, who spoke on behalf of the political parties, advised the Commission to ensure that the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Returning Officers are not pressured by some Governors and INEC itself to falsify results in their states, stating that equity, fairness and justice should prevail.

Yabagi also encouraged the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that is ongoing not to be swayed by emotions or technicalities, but base their judgment on well-reasoned interpretation of the law.

For more news update follow us on www.dailytimesng.com