Group Raises Alarm Over Possible Election Violence In 3 S-West States

By Nafisat Arogundade

A non governmental organization, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has expressed concerns over possible electoral violence in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states in the upcoming Saturday’s general elections.

The Executive Director of KDI, Mr. Bukola Idowu, disclosed this at a press conference addressed in Osogbo, Osun state capital, on Wednesday.

Idowu who doubles as the Coordinator of South West Hub of the Nigeria Election Violence Report (NEVER) project towards the 2019 general elections said reports from its preelection survey/hot spot mapping indicated possible flashpoints in states like Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.

However, the group argued that Osun state would experience peace before, during and after the elections.

Calling on the security agents to beam their watch light on the states Idowu stated that election periods were often characterized by great anxiety usually heightened by reckless entrances and action of some politicians.

Idowu said as patriots and lovers of the country, the citizenry must realise that, they had no other country but Nigeria.

“We want to inform the general public on the key findings the kimpact pre-election survey/hot spot mapping done before the 2019 General Elections and also inform citizen observation/monitoring could help on mitigating Electoral violence, share medium to report Electoral violence in there communities, and to remind all Electoral stakeholders to play the rules at this critical stage of the electoral process most especially before, during and after 2019 General Elections.

“The Nigeria Election violence Report (NEVER) project is supported by the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES).

“The project focus on developing the capacity of civil society, they talk about, methodology and Key findings on kimpact pre Election survey/hots spot, kimpact carried out there survey throughout the Local Government in South West Nigeria, and they said Osun will be the most peaceful state during, before and after Election.

“But Osun must not relax their guard. Lagos, Ogun and Oyo may likely be the most violent states during the election process, and we call on INEC , Security agents and Politician’s to order, because they may likely pay role in electoral violence and they talk about political thugs and call on INEC, Politician’s, youth leaders, political gladiators and all stakeholders to please ensure peaceful atmosphere before, during and after Election,” the group stated.

The group also called on the media to desist from reporting fake news during and after the elections.

In attendance at the press conference are, civil society, people living with disabilities and other electoral stakeholders.