The recently held governorship and state House of Assembly elections was full of violence, apathy, and disenfranchisement of voters in various states across Nigeria. The low turnout of voters was as a results of the February 25 presidential poll not reflecting the wishes of Nigerians. In Lagos State, sponsored hoodlums overran the state and unleashed violence on voters and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in different parts of the state. Despite the security architecture that the Lagos State Police Command and other sister agencies supposedly put in place, the hoodlums had a field day. 17 Feared Dead Across the Country Over Voter Violence and Thuggery , continue reading.
They snatched ballot papers, disenfranchised voters, and unleashed violence on those suspected of sympathising with the state’s opposition parties. Several people were injured, and at least three people were suspected of being killed. The violence has elicited widespread condemnation from various individuals and groups, including the Governor of Lagos State, the candidate of the Labour Party, and a former Nigerian Education Minister. The spokesperson of the state APC has called on security agencies to note what the party described as Rhodes-Vivour’s threat to set Lagos on fire. INEC has postponed the governorship and state assembly elections following the inability of some voters to vote in some polling units in the state.
The governorship and state House of Assembly elections held in Nigeria were characterized by violence, apathy, and disenfranchisement of voters. Reports show that several people were killed in various acts of electoral violence in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Niger, Akwa Ibom, Osun, and Benue states. This development has generated widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians lamenting the lack of security and peaceful conduct of the polls. 17 Feared Dead Across the Country Over Voter Violence and Thuggery , continue reading.
Before the attacks on voters by hoodlums, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, had given an assurance that the police had made adequate deployment throughout the state and assured the voters of their safety. The police commissioner said some persons were arrested over various electoral offenses in different parts of the state, and weapons and sensitive election materials were recovered.
The low turnout of voters was attributed to the results of the February 25 presidential poll not reflecting the wishes of Nigerians. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, argued that Nigerians did not come out in large numbers because the results of the presidential poll did not reflect their wishes. Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, also noted that the people were discouraged because they did not get what they wanted in the presidential poll. The Labour Party has also described Saturday’s poll as the worst ever conducted in the country. 17 Feared Dead Across the Country Over Voter Violence and Thuggery , contine reading.
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The violence has generated widespread condemnation from various individuals and groups, including the Governor of Lagos State, the candidate of the Labour Party, and a former Nigerian Education Minister. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed displeasure over the violence that engulfed the election in the state. He reiterated that the contest is about peace and prosperity for the people, and everyone should have the right to express themselves peacefully. The candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, raised the alarm that thugs were attacking LP supporters and preventing them from voting.
