As Nigerians wait anxiously on the wings of time for Saturday presidential election that is less than 48 hours, the voters are currently gripped by fear due to the unprecedented upsurge of violence that have almost paralyzed the socio economic life of the people.
Available data showed that over 130 cult groups exist in the South West and Niger Delta regions.
In the North, no fewer than 55,000 Nigerians have been hacked by bullets fired by unknown gunmen.
Similarly in the South East, Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the outlawed indigenous people of Biafra IPOB has repeatedly declared sit-at-home order across the area, insisting that the Saturday presidential election would not hold in the region.
Consequently, not less than 134, 000 attacks have been launched against the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Just yesterday, the Labour Party, LP senatorial candidate in Enugu East Senatorial District, Oyibo was killed alongside five of his supporters at Amechi, Awkunananaw local government area who accompanied him to his campaign venues.
The State governorship candidate of LP, Chijioke Edeoga who confirmed the incident, noted that his party members have become target for assassination by political parties who felt threatened by the rising profile of the Labour Party.
He recalled that the region has been embroiled in orgy of violence even before the election period as militants of different persuasions have vowed to crippled election in the South East.
In the South West, politicians have used the hardships induced by the currency Swap imbroglio to sponsor violence as recorded in Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States.
In Edo State, a party chieftain was sighted in a viral video, instigating his supporters to ruffle the feathers of peace by causing mayhem in the entire state in order make election impossible.
In the sprawling city of Kano in northern Nigeria, the Department of State Security, DSS reportedly invaded the party office of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and allegedly uncovered dangerous weapons as jack knives, Swords, daggers and Guns stockpiled to be used during or after the election.
Since the introduction of the new naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria, a deliberate policy orchestrated by the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration to tightened the nose of political gladiators who intended to buy vote from unsuspecting Nigerians.
Yesterday, Chairman of the National Peace Accord, Retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, at the second signing of the Peace Accord by the 18 presidential Aspirants, noted in dismay, that over 44 infractions have been recorded against the Aspirants in the course of their campaigns.
He disclosed that 26 infractions were recorded against their supporters through the use toxic language both in social media outlets and campaign ground.
The National Security Adviser, (NSA) to the President, Maj Gen Babagana Moguno has alerted on plots by some yet to be named politicians to exploit the current socio economic situation in Nigeria to ignite civil unrest before, during and after the general elections.
Moguno who made this disclosure at the recent inter agency consultative forum held by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, stated that government is aware of plots by domestic subversive groups and their external collaborators to exploit the current socio economic climate in Nigeria, occasioned by well intended government policies to ignite civil unrest.
He stated that in this regard, Security Agencies have been charged to ensure a robust deployment of security operatives to deal decisively with any individual or group, no matter how highly placed.
The NSA decried the escalating violence of electioneering campaigns recorded in different parts of the country despite the peace accord endorsed by all the presidential candidates.
The ugly trend, he said were largely displayed in the attitude of political actors, their sponsors, thugs and other unpatriotic elements through unguarded utterances.
He, however, enjoined the INEC, Security Agencies and the Peace Accord Committee to evolve strategies that would de-escalate the usual anxiety that characterize the build up to general elections in Nigeria.
Moguno who hailed the revised code of conduct and rules of engagement for Security Agencies on electoral duties, assured that it would undoubtedly enhance the synergy and collaboration among member agencies to effectively mitigate an envisage threat during and after election.
Also the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said that Security Operatives would not only protect the Commission’s staff and facilities, but also accredited observers, journalists, Service providers and voters.
Despite these glaring efforts to ensure peace in the elections, some unscrupulous politicians have continued to resort to violence as a means to an end. We hope that the security agencies will do their and do it well
