By Hungah Peter (SIWES student, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro)
During a People’s Townhall on Election Security in Abuja, Umar Bature, the National Organizing Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressed the importance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ensuring the timely delivery of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials for the forthcoming governorship polls in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states on November 11, 2023, to prevent potential electoral violence.
Bature also called upon the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to swiftly identify and apprehend those responsible for any electoral violence incidents in these states.
He emphasized, I believe it is crucial to identify the instigators of conflicts in these regions by Friday to effectively curb this violence.
Regarding INEC, one of the primary factors contributing to election-related violence is the delayed arrival of election materials, sometimes intentionally orchestrated by the dominant political party in a specific area to create a conducive environment for violence.
The timely delivery of election materials is paramount. Additionally, the police should proactively deploy officers and identify those inciting violence in known flashpoint areas.
Preparations for violence are already in progress by certain individuals. Therefore, security agencies must review their protocols and ensure the presence of officers to protect voters before any incidents occur.
Furthermore, Bature mentioned that if President Bola Tinubu maintains his claim of not having a preferred candidate in the elections, the likelihood of violence significantly decreasing before, during, and after the polls is expected.
