Some civil society organisations (CSOs) say there is a growing fear over stockpiling of arms ahead of the governorship election in Ondo state.
Although there are 17 candidates in the election scheduled for October 10, the real contest is between Rotimi Akeredolu, the incumbent and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a communiqué issued after a roundtable meeting with stakeholders in the state during the week, the groups said the level of violence recorded during the local council election had created a tense environment ahead of the governorship poll.
“The council elections recorded low voter turnout, poor participation by marginalised groups, as well as the destruction and defacing of campaign billboards in various parts of the state. The Ondo state LGA polls were characterised by anomalies including the use of thugs to disrupt the electoral process, the firing of gunshots to frighten and intimidate voters, and deliberate attempts to prevent opposition parties from actively participating in the election,” the communiqué read.
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“The Ondo LGA election further exposed the lopsided structure in Nigeria’s electoral process. Security operatives saddled with the responsibility to protect the people were found intimidating the electorates. Every participant, stakeholders and political actors came to the poll with different agenda and this majorly led to the spike in violence.
“In most of the polling units there were no result sheets; findings in places like Ifedore showed that election observers were asked to leave the vicinity and results were fraudulently written in these areas with the supervision of security operatives. These anomalies hold serious implications for the conduct and outcome of free, fair and credible elections in Ondo State, come October 10.
“There is a growing fear of stockpiling of arms ahead of the election. There have been cases of rival partisan camps openly displaying arms or engaging in exchange of gunfire just to show that they also have access to firearms – a means of pressing opponents. Most times they do this in the presence of police officers who serve as aides to the political actors.”
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They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility in educating the electorate; especially ensuring that party supporters are educated to refrain from using hate speech, and singing hate songs, which cause provocation and result in violence.
INEC was advised to conduct a comprehensive security risk assessment to identify areas with high risks of security challenges
Security agencies were also asked to provide security in some areas, especially those linked to neighbouring Edo state, where the governorship election is scheduled to hold in September.
The CSOs that participated in the meeting hosted by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) are: Ondo state Development Forum, EyeMax Care Foundation, Centre for Environment and Community Development, Knowledge and Care Providers, Kids&Teens Resource Centre, Melville Women Initiative, Star Ruby Initiative and Human Development, Gender Equality and the Girl Child Development Foundation, Beacon for Hope and Action of Life,Community Development and Adherence Support Initiatives, Young Shall Grow Educational Initiative, Oloki Memorial Foundation and A-One Readers Education Foundation.
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Others are: Girls 2 Women Research and Development Foundation, Excel Mankind Well being Initiative, Women Advancement and Development Initiative, Life and Peace Development Organization, Upline Centre For Development, Healthy Mother and Child Foundation, St Joavics Foundation, Handicapped Education Foundation and Global Assistance For Better Day Organisation.
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