September 27, (THEWILL) – Ahead of the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, expressed concerns over emerging security trends in the States.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, raised the concerns at a media executives meeting in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Wednesday.
The November 11 off-cycle governorship elections will be the first to take place after the contentious 2023 Nigeria general elections, which have received mixed reactions from various stakeholders.
In addition, the election will be conducted in an environment where trust in both the electoral process and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has plummeted.
According to a security report by Yiaga Africa, the “The upcoming off-cycle elections are likely to be influenced by the issue of security, which is a major concern in the country.
“The Southeast region has experienced several security crises, with militia groups posing a significant threat to the socio-economic well-being of the area. The enforcement of the Monday seat-at-home by The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and unknown gunmen, has further hampered economic activities.
“Reports have indicated that 5 LGAs (Ehime/Mbano, Okigwe, Oru West, Oru East, and Orlu LGAs) in Imo State, are hotspots for violence, leading up to the 2023 general elections.
“The secessionist group has also heightened the vulnerability of the state to armed violence, causing deaths and property damage, including attacks on State facilities, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission assets.
“In Imo State, there have been 12 reported cases of attacks and destruction of INEC’s assets and facilities, the highest in the country between 2019 and 2023. Other areas in the state, such as Orlu, Orsu, Ideato North and South, Okigwe, Oguta-Izombe, Njaba, Oru East and Oru West, have also been identified as security hotspots.
“Professor Sylvia Agu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State, recently announced that 2,300 soldiers would be deployed for the election.
“While the security situation in Bayelsa State seems to be relatively calm ahead of the election, there are still concerns that it may be premature to predict what will happen during the election.
“Recently, there was a report of an attack on Saturday, August 13th, where armed men in multiple vehicles invaded Opu Nembe (Basambri) in Nembe Local Council, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.
“The heightened security situation in Kogi State has been exacerbated by the rhetoric and activities of politicians in the State. In June 2023, the Kogi State Government alleged that suspected thugs loyal to the SDP candidate attacked Governor Yahaya Bello’s convoy while on his way from Abuja to Lokoja, the State capital.
“Mr Bello and Mr Ajaka traded blame over the incident, accusing each other of being responsible for the attack. While the Governor alleged that his convoy was attacked by the SDP’s team, Mr Ajaka claimed that it was an assassination attempt on his life by the Governor and his men.
“There was a report of unrest in Ayingba in Dekina LGA of Kogi East, on Sunday, 28 August, 2023, when the SDP candidate went to commission his campaign office. The office was allegedly vandalized on 2 separate occasions, with one person reported dead from the incident.
“Yiaga Africa also received reports that the SDP candidate’s office in Lokoja was also burnt down. The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday, 28 August 2023.
“There also have been several reports of kidnappings in Kogi State, one of which was the kidnap of Oba of Idofin and his wife in Yagba East Local Government Area by gunmen on Monday, 19 June 2023. There was also the kidnap of Passengers who were travelling on the Peace Mass Transit Bus. This incident occurred on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
“Also, a report of the kidnap of 3 family members in the Greenland community, Ganaja Ajaokuta, Kogi state, was received by Yiaga Africa. This incident happened on Monday, June 5th, 2023.”
Haruna highlighted the need for improved security measures in the States for peaceful and successful electoral process on November 11.
