As Nigeria heads to the polls on Saturday to elect the country’s next president, the issue of security, rigging of the exercise after and other issues have become a major concern despite assurances by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and the electoral body, INEC.
As unpredictable as the overall outcome of Saturday’s presidential election may seem, some questions remain imperative as to the safety of Nigerians during and after the process.
Some key factors have resulted to serious apprehension among voters who may either participate hurriedly in the polls and withdraw home or not come out at all for the exercise.
Burning of INEC Offices:
The recent development of INEC offices being set ablaze in Abia, Anambra, and Plateau states by ‘mysterious fire’ where thousands of electoral materials were burnt, for instance, has raised questions in the mind of Nigerian electorates.
What is the motive behind the burning of the INEC offices? Is this a plot to rig election? Would more offices be burnt on election day? Should average Nigerians trust INEC to release a fair result despite all these unlikely incidences?
Series of accusations by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP suggesting that the burning of INEC offices was a plan by APC to limit votes of Nigerians in those States believed to be the stronghold of Alhaji Atiku Abubukar, presidential candidate of the party is another concern.
Whatever is the motive for the burning of INEC offices and electoral materials, security of the process must be guaranteed by operatives.
Boko Haram, Bandits in North East:
Despite the intervention of the Nigerian Army, in the North East, killings have continued unabated. Some villages in Zamfara State were recently under attacks and scores of Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram insurgents. There are kidnapping cases reported in the various areas in the State. These are happening just days to the general elections.
During the week, the convoy of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State was attacked by Boko Haram, resulting to the death of three All Progressives Congress, APC, members, while several others were injured.
With the threat of Boko Haram in the North East, IPOB in the South East, herdsmen attacks in the North Central and activities of thugs, coupled with porous borders, analysts have entertained fears ahead of the Saturday’s polls.
In spite of these threats, some Nigerians still believe that the electoral process will run smoothly, but such won’t be achieved without the effort of unbiased security forces.
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