Special Features
Attacks on INEC: What Shape Will the 2023 General Election Take?
By Haneefa Badru
While we count down to the 2023 General Election, the tension in the political atmosphere counts up with episodes of calculated violence and mischief perpetrated by political thugs.
Countless individuals and government agencies nation-wide have been victims of these attacks; even the Independence National Electoral Commission, the presiding body over the anticipated election, is not spared from the rage of political thugs. Some of the evil perpetrated by these anti-peace agents make it to news headlines while a bunch of others are swept under the carpet.
EDITOR’S PICKS
The most recent attack on INEC occurred on the 12th December, 2022; it was targeted at the INEC office in Owerri, Imo State, where two firebombs and several firearms were recovered. Three of the attackers were confirmed dead by the state police. This attack was the third one in twelve days in Imo state. Hundreds of thousands of PVCs have been destroyed.
As usual, attacks of this nature are trailed by the blame game; a number of people have pointed accusing fingers at IPOB, whereas security agencies haven’t been able to link any group/forces to these nationwide attacks. These attacks are not limited to the Southeastern part of Nigeria; thus, the possibility of IPOB as the culprits is somewhat invalidated.
On 10th November, 2022, some hoodlums razed the INEC office in Abeokuta South, Ogun State. Over 65,000 uncollected PVCs and critical election materials were destroyed. In the same week, one of the commission’s offices in Ede Local Government, Osun State was also set ablaze.
A burnt INEC office
Similarly, the 27th day of November 2022 saw the INEC office in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State go up in flames. According to the statement given by officials, burnt items included 340 ballot boxes, 130 voting cubicles, 14 electric power generators, large water storage tanks, assorted office furniture and fixtures.
These unsavory antecedents to the 2023 General Election continues to water down any form of excitement that should otherwise welcome the transition of a nation’s governance. Nigerians’ hope in the electoral system is dwindling and this might affect the turnout of voters in the 2023 elections as questions remain unanswered. Are the attacks sponsored by certain political actors who are looking to undermine the electoral process? Are they sponsored by the current government as a way to create panic and stay in power? What do the perpetrators hope to achieve?
Well-meaning Nigerians have called on the government to secure the democratic rights of its citizens by finding and prosecuting the people/forces behind these nationwide attacks.
FURTHER READING
-
British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded Over Technical Issue
-
Met Office Forecasts 2023 Will Be Hotter Than 2022
-
Capitol Riot Committee Seeks Four Criminal Charges For Trump
Regardless, Nigerians are enjoined to get their PVCs and prepare for the 2023 general elections.
Haneefa Badru writes for Eko Hot Blog. This media platform reserves all rights to this article.
Click here to watch our video of the week:
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
