Violence & Sporadic Shootings in Bayelsa and Kogi Elections, YIAGA AFRICA Calls for cancellation

Despite heavy deployment of security for the elections in Kogi state and Bayelsa, there was widespread violence and ballot box snatching across the states according to accounts by various election observation mission.

In a statement issued by Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Chairman, YIAGA AFRICA Watching The Vote – Kogi Observation Mission “the violence and brigandage in some polling units resulting to disruption of voting”.

The non-partisan group calls on INEC to cancel elections in those polling units with cases of snatching of ballot papers/boxes, violence, and disruption.

“In the spirit of transparency, YIAGA AFRICA calls on INEC to make public the list of polling units where elections are cancelled. Security agencies should ensure adequate security is provided to enable voters and INEC complete the process of voting, results collation and declaration,” the statement issued reads in parts. ?

“YIAGA AFRICA calls for an investigation to unravel the reasons behind the delay in security deployment,” Abdu noted. ?

In the joint statement also signed by Mr Samson Itodo, the Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA Watching the Vote “security officials and election day materials deployed late, resulting in polling units opening late”.

YIAGA AFRICA condemns the blatant vote buying observed within proximity of the polling units. Voters should respect the secrecy of the ballot by complying with the laid down procedure for the folding of ballot papers and voting. Security officials are encouraged to take proactive measures by reprimand any individual or group of individuals perpetrating this heinous electoral offense. ?

In Bayelsa, the group said armed thugs attacked polling units under Opolo Townhall/Community, Yenagoa LGA, shooting sporadically, disrupting the process with some casualties. Security personnel present at the time were not helpful. “In addition, Political parties sharing money caused the disruption of the process in Futire Polling unit, Ward 6 (Otuasega), Ogbia LGA,” the statement reads. ?

The statement said “In Ward 12 and 13 in Okpoama, Southern Ijaw LGA, some political thugs, led by the local government chairman hijacked INEC materials and disrupted the voting process”.

“There were reports of sporadic gunshots in the polling unit. In addition, WTV received a report that a boat conveying election materials and polling officials that were deployed to 4 polling units (PUs 10, 11, 12, and 14) in Apoi Ward 15 in Kologbene Community in Southern Ijaw, was hijacked”. The statement continued.  ?

It says the Watching the vote observers were attacked by party agents in Opolo Town Hall, Epie II Ozyi Polling Unit in Yenagoa LGA. One of the observers was beaten, their observation materials were confiscated, and they were asked to leave the polling unit. ?

YIAGA Africa said it also received and verified reports that fighting between party agents for APC and PDP resulted in the destruction and burning of election materials in Polling Unit 8, Ward 4 and in Ward 3 all in Ogbia LGA. Materials were also destroyed, and the process halted in PU 007, Ikarma, Okorbia, Yenagoa LGA.

Frank Mba, force public relations officer, said Kogi recorded a higher level of violence during an interview on Channels Television earlier today.

“I admit that there have been challenges in Kogi. The situation in Kogi has been challenging, more challenging than Bayelsa,” he said.

“When you are policing an environment where politicians play very desperate games and want to win at all cost, you will be swimming against the tides”.

The Nigeria Police Force had deployed 66,241 policemen to provide security in Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. 

Out of that number, 35,200 would be deployed in Kogi State while 31,041 were drafted to Bayelsa State, said the police. 

Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations in Kogi and Bayelsa, Abdulmajid Ali, in Lokoja, on Thursday, said the policemen would be complemented by the police mobile force, special protection unit, and counter-terrorism unit and other security outfits.

According to Ali, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, also ordered the posting of deputy inspectors general of police (DIGs), AIGs, CPs, DCPs, and ACPs to all senatorial districts and local government areas within the two states, explaining that the heavy deployment of cops for the election was not to intimidate voters but to make the elections free and safe.