SINCE independence in 1960, ballot box snatching, threats, physical attacks and killings have occurred with impunity before, during and after almost every election cycle in Nigeria. This is fuelled by a lack of political maturity among the country’s political class.
Serious electoral violence occurred in 2011 when about 800 lives were lost after the general elections. The victory of former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party over Muhammadu Buhari of the then Congress for Progressive Change triggered the violence.
Hundreds of people also died during the 2015 and 2019 general elections. Armed Conflict Location & Event Data recorded over 200 violent events involving party members and supporters in the 12 months preceding the 2023 election. This resulted in almost 100 reported fatalities.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was not spared, as some of its offices across the country were looted and torched. Some electoral officers were abducted and assassinated. ACLED recorded 44 violent incidents involving INEC offices and staff between January 2021 and February 2023.
A few months before the 2027 elections, political thugs have also attacked leading opposition figures and their supporters at different political events in Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Ekiti.
The African Democratic Congress was a major victim of these attacks. Some of the party’s secretariats in some states were set ablaze. This is ominous for the forthcoming elections.
On June 9, violence erupted between supporters of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress in Owode-Ede, Aisu, Aregbesola area, Old Garage, Olaiya, and Oke-Fia areas of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
Residents reportedly scampered for safety as one person was feared dead, while some others were injured. The state governorship election is on August 15.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the APC Campaign Council traded blame over the violence, which reportedly started at Ile-Ife during a walk organised by the APC to garner support for its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Incidentally, Osun has a history of electoral violence. The April 14, 2007 governorship and House of Assembly polls turned out to be one of the bloodiest in the state.
About 12 people lost their lives in Ikirun, Igbajo, Ila-Orangun, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, among other areas, while reportedly trying to stop political thugs from carting away ballot boxes.
A few months ago, gunmen suspected to have been sponsored by politicians killed a youth in Ikire. Recently, some gunmen also shot at the Accord Party chairman in Osogbo.
Usually, violence thrives when the electoral process is compromised in favour of a particular candidate or party. That kills the spirit of democracy. This is partly why many Nigerians will never come out to vote.
Besides, the spoils of office are too humongous. People are ready to do anything possible, including killing, to win elections at all costs.
Apart from annual allocations for untraceable constituency projects, huge allowances and SUVs, federal lawmakers reportedly receive N19 million (House of Representatives) and N21 million monthly (Senate). State governors do not account for their monthly security votes.
Obviously, politicians don’t fight or kill to get into office to serve. They are not after making the country’s hospitals or schools better. They are not bothered with building better roads and railways, or making life generally better for the masses.
What they fight for is their own selfish interests, for free access to the public treasury.
Nigeria should step up. It needs to consolidate on what it has achieved in the past 27 years of civilian rule. For elections to be violence-free, INEC must create a level playing field for all parties and candidates. There should be no room for favouritism or bias.
Security agencies should be professional in the discharge of their duties. They should not unduly antagonise any candidate or political party and must show fairness in their work.
Political parties, their standard-bearers and supporters must show maturity by putting a stop to the use of thugs to manipulate and win elections. They must abide by the stipulations of the Electoral Act.
Voters must be ready to vote out any candidate or party that fails to adhere to the ethos of a democratic society. They should avoid being used by politicians to achieve their sinister objectives.