The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has raised concerns about the possibility of having an “acrimonious” gubernatorial election in Edo and Ondo states.
“As you are aware, the conduct of primaries by political parties tends to be very acrimonious. The acrimony is carried forward into the electioneering campaigns and Election Day activities. Already, there are warning signals.” The chairman, Mahmood Yakubu said during an Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security ICCES last week.
Elections and Acrimony in Nigeria
If you look at the history of elections in Nigeria, you will see that Mr Yakubu’s fears are not far-fetched.
Data from The International Crisis Group show that in 2011, over 700 people died in post-election violence protesting Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory. In 2003, 100 people died while 300 people died in 2007. During the 2015 elections, 106 people died, while 13 election-related deaths were reported during the 2019 polls. Two policemen were shot dead in Bayelsa State in the run-up to the November 2019 Gubernatorial polls.
Every election season brings with it tension and rancour which usually spirals into waves of violence in polling units or across communities. This rancour always stems from the rejection of candidates or disputes over election results.
The chair of the commission has suggested a supplementary code of conduct for all security operatives participating in the conduct of elections in a Covid-19 Pandemic era, different from the code of conduct it released recently. This will guide security personnel in safeguarding elections particularly in the time of a pandemic.
While it is necessary to safeguard elections, the militarization of polls in Nigeria has contributed to voter intimidation and electoral related deaths and has severe consequences on Nigeria’s Democracy.
The supplementary code of conduct should ensure that security personnel are held liable and accountable for the lives of citizens no matter who their choice of candidate is.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
