A group, Coalition of Civil Societies on Electoral Matters, today raised the alarm over plots by some political forces in Kogi State to cause the deployment of soldiers and Department of State Services (DSS) by inciting violence ahead of next Saturday's governorship election in the state.
As stated by the coalition, they arrived at the position following preliminary investigations they conducted. They, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, not to succumb to such gimmicks by deploying these security agencies.
They urged the president to assure the nation that in line with the decision of the court, soldiers or the DSS will not be used for the elections.
They, however, expressed confidence in the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the polls.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Executive Director of the coalition, Mike Femi, said “our pilot findings indicate that, there is a likelihood of induced violence few days to the election to warrant the deployment of soldiers and State Security Service (DSS).
“We suspect from our inside-finding that the inflammatory remarks are contrived to ensure that soldiers are deployed for the election with the intention to compromise them under the guise of instruction from above.
“Although we are mindful of the present determination of the leadership of the Army to restore strict professionalism to the force, including the probe of what transpired during the Ekiti/Osun Governorship Elections; however, we consider it instructive as a concern body to further alert the army to the scheming of some politicians.
“We have great confidence in the President that he will not be an accessory to the deployment of forces or allow the usage of the institution of State to subvert the electoral process and the will of the people.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to see the Kogi election as a litmus test of his electoral integrity. It's imperative, that the President quickly makes a categorical pronouncement on the coming elections in both Kogi and Bayelsa States urging all the political actors to eschew violence.
“He should also assure the nation, in line with the decision of the court that soldiers or the DSS will not be used for the elections.”
He however urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay attention to the campaigns and act with decisiveness where any political party or political actor is seen to have made or is making inciting comment by bringing such to the attention of the public.
“We dare say that the era of impunity is over and INEC must maintain its neutrality and improve on the standard set by the immediate past Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. With a new leadership in place, we urge the new INEC boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to play by the rule and be strictly guided by the constitution and the electoral act.
“We also consider it sacrosanct to alert the international community through the Foreign Observer Mission to keep a close look on the Kogi Election as the first under a new government in power. This is necessary to preserve the wise investment of the international community in the Nigerian Electoral process, as well as strengthening it.”
They further advised the political parties to be guided by the moral perception of the public beyond the dictate of the law in their actions at all times.
“We need a considerable level of moral inclination to defeat corruption and uphold a sane society. We sincerely hope to give our final assessment at least 94 hours before election proper.”