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Tag: violence-free poll

  • Group advocates violence-free poll

    Group advocates violence-free poll

    The CLEEN Foundation has warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies should be held accountable for any violence or lawlessness during the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election.

    Acting Executive Director, Peter Maduoma, in a statement issued in Onitsha, said Anambra’s electoral history has been marred by political violence and impunity.

    He recalled the abduction of then-Governor Chris Ngige by police officers allegedly acting under political influence in 2003.

    He noted that despite repeated crises and legal battles, no one was ever held accountable, creating a dangerous culture of impunity.

    According to the foundation’s recent report, Anambra recorded 14 politically linked killings between 2022 and 2024, raising fears that unchecked violence could threaten the November 2025 poll.

    “The rise in violent incidents, small arms circulation, and armed group activities poses a major threat to the electoral process,” the statement said.

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    “The atmosphere of insecurity is undermining voter confidence, with several local governments already identified as high-risk areas.”

    The group also warned that intra-party clashes, cult-related violence, and disinformation were worsening public distrust in the political system.

    It urged INEC and security agencies to implement proactive security measures and rebuild public confidence before the election.

    Maduoma expressed concern that the experience of the 2023 general elections had eroded faith in the process.

    “From January to now, about 63 people have been abducted, some with suspected political links,” he said.

    He called for regular pre-election security briefings, updated risk assessments, and the activation of a Security Support Centre by November 7, to monitor and coordinate early responses to emerging threats.

  • Stakeholders urged to ensure violence-free poll

    The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) called for violence-free governorship election in Ondo State.

    Residents of the state are expected to go to the poll on Saturday to elect their governor.

    All the registered political parties fielded candidates for the poll.

    The Institute in a statement stressed the imperative for peace in electoral systems, irrespective of locations and geographies, saying it is very critical because it guarantees viability and ultimately, sustainability. 

    The Institute added that aside being peaceful, the election should also be credible and acceptable by the local and International community.

    The statement by the Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, reads “On the imperative of violence-free elections in Ondo state, the IPCR said that ‘peace’ remains the stimulating and sustaining energy driving the socio-economic and political development of all organized states.

    “It can be argued that it is the relative peace attained in the democratic space over these years – as fostered by IPCR and other Peace-building actors – that has guaranteed the stability of the Nigerian electoral system beyond its shaky beginnings. This notable achievement is no doubt connected to the recently celebrated 25 years of unbroken democratic culture in the country.”

    The statement further read that: “The Nigerian democratic experience is unique because it pursues the overall interest of the public, in addition to guaranteeing citizens’ rights to demand accountability from elected officials in honour of the tenets of the social contract covenant as universally prescribed by classical socio-political and moral thinkers like Grotius, Kant, Hobbes and Gentili. No doubt, this is what justifies and gives credence to the system. Also, this necessitates the urgency for securing the process by ensuring that nothing related to violence occurs during the Ondo elections.”

    Read Also: Adeleke appeals for violence-free poll

    Ochogwu said: “In order to ensure a smooth and violence-free electoral process, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolutions proffers the following recommendations;

    “All stakeholders to the Ondo state elections should collaboratively ensure that the space is detoxified so that characteristically provocative utterances and accompanying hate speeches that fly across political party divides during important electoral cycles like the forthcoming elections are checked.

    “The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) equally considers it necessary to request that the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) rise to their responsibility by ensuring an effective monitoring of the Ondo electoral spaces towards guaranteeing that arms proliferation before, during and after the elections are indeed controlled.

    “In the same spirit, the NDLEA and the NAFDAC should work assiduously while heading-towards the achievement of their noble goal of cutting-off access to illicit drugs flow whiles at the same time severing the networks that service the drug needs of would-be violent actors before, during and after elections.”

    The IPCR however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its role in the conduct of elections so far.

    The group also held met stakeholders to promote a deeper understanding of the Ondo State Peace Accord and foster collaboration.

    Key discussions focused on strategies to prevent vote buying, curb electoral malpractice, coordinate security efforts, and combat misinformation.

    Senior High Chief Adegbonmire, the Asae of Akureland and Chairman of the Ondo State Peace and Mediation Working Committee, called for adherence to the rules and urged all participants to ensure a peaceful election.

    In his address, former Head of State and National Peace Committee Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, encouraged party leaders and candidates to respect the election’s outcome if it is deemed free and fair, and to use legal channels to resolve any grievances. Abubakar emphasized the importance of peaceful participation, stating, “Ondo State must set an example for other off-cycle elections.”