As the general elections in Nigeria slowly emerges, there has been numerous concerns about the state of security in the country. Considering that Nigeria’s social, political and economic status quos have been ravaged by overt corruption and instability over the last years, the impending general election have become a very important factor in the demand for major changes in the current dilapidated situations. The impending general election, unlike the previous ones has been tipped to have a massive participation, as Nigerians aim to air their grievances and demand socioeconomic developments through the polls. As a result, there have been numerous debates in regards to the best candidate to salvage the situation.
In light of the impending election, Amnesty International, known to be a global watchdog, have urged the federal government to ensure a transparent and fair election process, free against electioneering violence in the forthcoming presidential and National Assembly elections which is scheduled to take place on February 25th. Also, the federal government has been tasked to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent the violation of human rights and ensure the protection of all the electoral participants.
Patterns of gender-based violence to intimidate women and girls evident.
A global rights group, via a signed statement signed and released by Isa Sanusi, the Media Manager of Amnesty International, urged the political parties, security agencies, interest groups and politicians to resist any attempt at engaging in violence or incitement that could deny people from enacting their human rights. He quoted the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, who criticized the desperate attempts by political actors at enacting incitements and attacks, adding that the failure at bringing past criminals to Justice have further emboldened others.
She also indicated that there were patterns of gender-based violence such as threatening women and girls with rape, in a bid to intimidate them into doing their biddings. In censuring this vile act, Osai Ojigho stated that the security operatives must uphold their obligations in curbing these incitements and abuse of human rights. She recounted the gruesome murder of Victoria Chimtex, the Labour Party leader in Kaura Local Government, Kaduna State, as well as the murder of APC’s Olumo Abolaji, who was kidnapped and killed in Kwara State. She however urged security operatives to be immensely at alert in tackling insecurity during the election period.
Violence in the south-east to impact human rights situation.
Osai again commented on the deteriorating security situation in the south-east region. She stated that the violent situation was really worrying with a huge tendency of impacting the general human right situation before, during and after the general elections. She pointed that there were received reports of political supporters violently targeting political opponents. She said that the security agencies must stamp out any potential threat by these perpetrators by adequately investigating these incidents and bringing them to justice.
Amnesty International also encouraged security operatives to ensure the safety of journalists, local and international electioneering observers and stakeholders m, so as for them to perform their duties without any fear of violence or intimidation. The global rights group promised to properly keep track of the election and document detection of human rights violations, in a bid to help bring the perpetrators were held accountable and brought to justice, regardless of who they were accused or what status they may hold.
Stakeholders urged to commit to protecting human rights in the country.
In this statement, victims would be ensured access to to justice and effective remedies. Osai Ojigho noted that there was going to be zero tolerance for any form of human rights violation and as such, encouraged the Nigerian government, civil groups, political parties and candidates to immediately censure intimidation, hatred and incitement for the forthcoming election. She further stated that stakeholders must now work together to enhance human rights, committing to its protection and promotion in the country.
Related Link
Amnesty International: Website
FG tasked on violence free elections – Amnesty International to observe election and document human right violation. – Express your point of view.
To prevent an election riot, the federal government should ensure a free and fair election process, free from electioneering violence.
I hope the government ensure we have a violence free election. Even where violence is predicted, we should prepare very hard to deplore law enforcement agencies there.
It’s great the federal government tasked itself to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent the violation of human rights and ensure the protection of all the electoral participants. The safety of its people should be a priority.
FG tasked on violence free elections. Free and fair election in Nigeria is very important for us. Federal government should do all it takes to stop any thing that will cause problem
The election must be free and fair and for that to happen the government need to provide security to stop any violence that might happen on the election day
As the general election is fast approaching, the tension in the country atmosphere is quite high. It saddens me that in a great country like this vote buying is the other of the day. These so called presidential candidate were not questioned where they got the money and why must they do such. Anyway, the federal government should endeavor to ensure violence free election. Thanks to the Amnesty international that have taking the responsibility to ensure that observation will be made on election and document human right violence.
The federal government should make sure that all what needed to curb violence were put in place and also all thugs or tout that wanted to forment trouble should be arrested by the security agency and prosecute according to electoral law.
I pray that the administration will take all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful election. Even if we know that violence is going to happen, we still need to be well-prepared to condemn local authorities.
It’s fantastic that the federal government has made it its mission to safeguard the rights of voters and secure their safety on election day. A nation’s top concern must be the security of its citizens.
The tension in the country is rising as the general election draws near. A great country like this should be above the practice of purchasing votes, but alas, it is the norm.
As the upcoming elections in Nigeria move closer and closer to being held, there have been various worries raised about the country’s current level of security.
Taking into consideration the fact that Nigeria’s social, political, and economic status quos have been ruined over the course of the past few years by overt corruption and instability,
The upcoming general election has become a very crucial factor in the desire for significant changes to the current decrepit surroundings, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the demand.
The approaching general election, in contrast to the ones that came before it, is expected to have a significant participation, as Nigerians intend to voice their complaints and demand socioeconomic improvements through the ballot.
.
Ok
There have been a lot of discussions on who would be the best person to lead an effort to rescue the situation.
In order to guarantee the safety of everyone who votes, the federal government must take precautions to prevent any violations of human rights.
By conducting thorough investigations into the aforementioned incidents and bringing the culprits to justice, the security authorities need to eliminate any possible threat posed by these individuals.
As the general election approaches, the level of tension in the nation is rising. This great nation ought to be above the practice of buying votes, but alas, it is the accepted practice.
I hope the government will take all necessary steps to guarantee a peaceful election. Even if we anticipate violence, we must nonetheless be ready to criticize local authorities.
The tension is very high within the country. Especially with this CBN new naira policies within this period of election. The Amnesty International are doing a great job by willing to come over to Nigeria to observe election and document human right violation and also tasked the FG to ensure free and fair election.