Post electoral violence in Kogi State: who is to blame?
Three weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission conducted an off-season gubernatorial election in Kogi State, violence has erupted in the impoverished state.
Of course, during the election, there were pockets of violence in some volatile areas of the state. At least two persons were reportedly killed. The incidents didn’t stop the electoral commission from declaring a winner of the election.
The fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission brought pre-recorded results sheets in some of the polling units could indicate the fact that the commission has a hand in the violence. Thre were protests against the development in Ogori Magongo Local Government Area of the state.
In the early hours of Friday, 1 December, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed the residence of the resident electoral commissioner of Kogi State. INEC itself posted on its official Facebook page that the private home of the commissioner was invaded.
Of course, nobody lost their life in the gun battle between the attackers and the rescuing security agencies. Nevertheless, lots of properties were seriously damaged. Carcass of a car could be seen and canisters were also on the floor.
The battle for the governor’s office in Kogi State has been taken to the tribunal. The Social Democratic Party and its candidate Murtala Ajaka have taken the matter to court. The duo need to inspect electoral materials. Little wonder the gunmen stormed the home of the commissioner.
Both INEC and Nigerian police could be blamed for failing to provide security to the INEC officer at a time tension is high and information would be needed from him.
In a video that has now gone viral, some loyalists of the All Progressives Congress said that Ajaka must accept the results of the election unless he doesn’t want peace. What this means is that the attack on the INEC officer may be linked to the ruling party.
The loyalists also called on the commission to disallow inspection of electoral materials. The tribunal has adjourned the sitting indefinitely in order to allow the SDP candidate crosscheck the materials.
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