The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to order investigation to the reported attack on Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, after a rally in Katsina state recently.
The SERAP who made the call in its letter dated 28 January, 2023 and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, urged the President to direct Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba
And Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to name and shame any politicians and other perpetrators of election-related intimidation, harassment, violence, and to ensure that they are promptly brought to justice.
The Organisation also urged the President to caution State Governors to end reported suppression of campaigns by opposition parties within their states, and to ensure the security and safety of opposition candidates, members and supporters.
It was reported that the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Obi was attacked after a rally in Katsina with heavy stones while on his way to the airport. This attack is coming on the heels of reported 339 incidents of election-related intimidation and violence across the country in 2022.
According to the letter, “Escalating cases of election-related intimidation, harassment, violence are fundamentally inconsistent with the principle of free and fair elections.
“Investigating and prosecuting these cases, and bringing perpetrators to justice would stop further violence, facilitate free and fair elections, and encourage Nigerians to freely exercise their right to vote.”
SERAP said, “Investigating and prosecuting these cases would also promote and ensure the rule of law and democratic tradition in the country.”
It read in part, “The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, country’s international human rights obligations recognize as fundamental the right to participate in one’s government, and the free and fair elections that implement it.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Adding that, “Election-related intimidation, harassment and violence are grave violations of the rights of Nigerians to participate in the democratic process and free and fair elections, as well as a range of other human rights.
“Free and fair elections mean elections conducted under conditions that enable voters to cast their votes as they wish purely on their own accord without any threats, intimidation, harassment or violence before, during and after elections.
“Free and fair elections are indispensable for the success of any democracy. But free and fair elections cannot take place in an environment characterised by recurring cases of election-related intimidation, harassment and violence.
“Fairness means providing equal opportunities and a conducive environment for all the contending parties to present their cases to a public which, in turn, may make a free choice.
“In a political climate of suppression of opposition parties’ campaigns and other election-related intimidation, harassment and violence, the electorate will not feel free to exercise their right to vote.
“SERAP is concerned about the growing impunity for election-related intimidation, harassment and violence.”
“Acting swiftly to address the brazen impunity for election-related intimidation, harassment, and violence would also send a strong message to politicians and non-state actors that your government would not tolerate any action that would undermine the people’s right to free and fair elections.”
“Mr Obi was said to be on his way to the airport, when some hoodlums and political thugs reportedly attacked the car he was riding in with heavy stones from his driver’s side, causing substantial damage to the vehicle.
“Subsequently, another set of thugs also reportedly threw stones outside the stadium which damaged several vehicles”, the letter reads.