Edo Decides: The Peace Accord And The Threat Of Violence -By Aniekpeno John Inyang

The electorate in Edo state go to the polls 19th September, 2020 to decide the next Governor of the state for another four year period.

The events leading to election day have been quite interesting and intriguing. Many have feared that the election would be another saddening episode of electoral violence which has been common feature of elections in this part of the world. How the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) coordinates this election would play a critical role in the formation of public opinion on electoral process in the Country. One major issue will be a key concern for Nigerians and that is security and the threat of electoral violence.

Amnesty International, an International human rights Organisation, in August claimed to have gotten reports of potential violence to be perpetuated by Politicians during the elections. The Country Director of the Organisation in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho had this to say:

“The potential turmoil being stirred up by various factions ahead of the gubernatorial election in Edo State should send a clear signal to the Nigerian authorities of the imminent violence ahead of the polls and government must take active steps to prevent a bloody poll.”

Amnesty International emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to put necessary measures in place to for stall anything of the sort. “The authorities must put measures in place to ensure politicians and their supporters do not infringe on human rights. They must announce clearly that there is zero-tolerance for human rights violations and that anyone suspected of wrongdoing will be brought to justice,” said Osai Ojigho.

Many Civil Society Organisations as well have lent their voice to the call for the Government to act in order to prevent violence during the Edo polls. Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance and Electoral Matters had petitioned the British Government through the British High Commission in Nigeria to closely monitor the Edo elections and act accordingly in respect of any form of improper conduct. The United Kingdom Government through her High Commission in Abuja, in response to the various calls for its voice on the elections on September 15th said it would deploy observers in the State to monitor the elections, and threatened sanction, including a travel ban to the United Kingdom, against sponsors of violence in the elections. In the statement issued by the High Commission it was said “Our High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has held meetings with leaders of the two main political parties, the APC and PDP.

“The discussions focused on the need for the parties’ leaders to prevail on supporters to avoid violence before and after the elections and we welcome the Edo candidates’ signatures of the National Peace Committee and INEC convened a peace accord yesterday”

“The UK takes a strong stand against election-related violence and, just as we did in the general election in 2019, will continue to take action against individuals we identify as being responsible for violence during the elections.

“This could include restrictions on their eligibility to travel to the UK, restrictions on access to UK based assets or prosecution under international law”.

The National Peace Committee (NPC), a non-governmental initiative conceptualized in 2014 in response to emerging threats occasioned by the 2015 general elections, organized a forum where political parties in the Edo gubernatorial election were invited to sign a peace accord pledging their allegiance to peaceful election in the state on September 19th. The leading two candidates for the election from the APC and the PDP were even seen embracing each other during the occasion which is commendable.

The Federal Government had also done its part through the Inspector-General of Police by deploying a good number of police men to provide security during the elections.

With everything in place, the only thing left is for Edo electorates to work together in ensuring peaceful elections in the state. Nigerians in other parts of the country are earnestly waiting and hoping for the best during the elections. Electoral violence has been a serious threat to political participation in Nigeria. Nigerians are sick of it and hoping that the Edo elections will pave the way for better elections in the country.