Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has stated that the high rate of insecurity and executive impunity, particularly by state governors, may impact the conduct and outcome of the 2023 general election.
This was stated in Yiaga Africa’s pre-election observation report, signed by its Executive Secretary, Sam Itodo.
According to the report, the survey was conducted through its Watching The Vote project, which was made available to the media on Saturday in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
It stated that 822 Long-Term Observers were deployed across the 774 LGAs to monitor the pre-election environment and report findings biweekly.
The report documented the activities of the key election stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, civil society organizations, the National Orientation Agency, and electoral violence indicators.
The current security challenges, economic realities, and political neutrality and composition of the election management body, both at the national and sub-national levels, according to the group, created a more vulnerable system to electoral manipulation and electoral violence.
It stated that these factors posed a risk to the conduct of credible and acceptable elections.
According to the report, the major issues that may impact the process include the security of election personnel, materials, citizens, and logistical issues, particularly for the deployment of poll officials and materials in difficult-to-reach communities due to difficult and inaccessible terrain.
The group observed that, despite deliberate efforts by key stakeholders to ensure smooth processes, election periods were frequently marred by foundational issues, undermining its credibility.
Worryingly, the report noted, are the increasing attacks on INEC facilities and offices at the state level, with the most recent attacks destroying offices in Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Ede South Local Government Area, Osun State, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State, and Oru West LGA, Imo State.
According to the report, there was also pre-election violence in the form of verbal and physical attacks in some local government areas across the country.
It said it received 60 reports of violent verbal attacks and 46 reports of violent physical attacks from 27 states across the country.
According to the report, violence is more prevalent in Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Niger Katsina, Rivers, and Oyo States.
The organization also stated that it received and confirmed 21 critical incident reports in the previous month.
According to the report, incidents of hate speech, attacks on rallies, fighting between communities, attacks on INEC facilities, attacks against candidates or supporters, voter inducement, and vandalism or destruction of property belonging to either candidates or supporters were included.