Politicians escalating violence in Kogi ahead of elections — CDD - Premium Times Nigeria

POLITICAL CONTEXT AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 16, 2019 KOGI STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

Our findings from the observation of the pre-election environment point to a very volatile political environment, characterised by fierce rhetoric, threats of violence and actual incidents of violence. A case in point is the recent attack on the State Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party , whose governorship candidate, Natasha Akpoti is one of the only three women contesting for the governorship election.

At the last count also, the threats of violence and actual incidents of violent disturbances, including the condemnable arson on the party secretariat of the Social Democratic Party could have the effect of making voters stay away from the polls. In the face of these threats and actual manifestations of violence, it is our considered position that the security agencies empowered by the constitution and other extant laws should no longer stand by and watch the perpetrators go scot-free.

Where such persuasion fails to work, the mooted collaboration between INEC and the anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission should be quickly firmed up to identify and arrest perpetrators.The Centre for Democracy and Development has been working on countering fake news and disinformation in Kogi state ahead of the elections.

Political actors to de-escalate the tension and refrain from making statements capable of further inflaming partisan or ethnic passions, and walk the talk for peace in line with the accord facilitated by INEC.

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