The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative (TIFPI), observer group has urged security agencies to give special attention to all red line states during the coming March 9 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections to ensure protection of lives and properties.
Livingstone Wechie, Executive Director and Lead observer of the organisation, made the call in Abuja.
TIFPI is an accredited Domestic Observer group for the 2019 general elections in Nigeria that deployed 785 observers in 26 states, including the FCT Abuja for February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“Relevant security agencies should give special attention to all red line states during the governorship and states Assembly elections.
Read Also: https://businessday.ng/markets/article/nigerias-listed-stocks-shed-n6bn/
“This is to ensure that all violence indicators are arrested to protect and save lives and properties as well as give voters the confidence to freely participate in the process.
“TIFPI advised that in a state like Rivers, where the highest number of deaths was reportedly recorded with continuous post-election killings/violence, that electoral malpractices should be investigated.
“Sponsors and perpetrators of violence be brought to justice beginning with the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry and containment measures taken as we approach the March 9th elections,” he said.
According to him, security agencies should be beef up security networks nationwide to contain any post-election violence.
TIFPI, he said, had raised a red flag over a ground-swell of suspected post-election violence in parts of the country.
“We recommend and caution that politicians should tone down their hate and ethic laden speeches and push for national cohesion, peace, unity and reconciliation along the lines of inclusiveness.
“These should be evidenced in their conduct and practices for the sake of peace.
“We also advised all those who lost and those who won to see themselves as victors. Nobody should resort to self help but head to the courts where the law provides hope for the common man.
“We urge INEC to make frantic efforts to improve from the shortcoming during the Governorship and States Assembly elections to further address whatever shortcomings and doubts in the minds of stakeholders,” he said.
The organisation commended the INEC staff, management and chairman, Mahmud Yakubu, for the successful conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
TIFPI, according to him, encourages INEC to improve on the upcoming governorship and state assembly elections, learning from the shortcomings of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
`”TIFPI charges the chairman to remain upright in the face of unrighteousness and defend the integrity of the commission against daunting pressures which ostensibly seek to derail the credibility of the process,” he said.
