The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Sunday said it will invite the Lagos State Parks Management Committee Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo and the executive governor of Kogi State , Mr Yahaya Bello for their utterances in the run off to the governorship and state house of assemblies elections held on Saturday.
M.C. Oluomo, in a viral video, had threatened that Igbo people living in Lagos should not bother to come to the polls if they will not vote for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) while Governor Bello was captured on video where he appeared to have used some inciting words against his political opponents in the state.
Addressing newsmen in the Commission’s 2023 Election Situation room on Sunday, the Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN said the preliminary findings of the commission showed that both gentlemen made statements termed Hate speeches before the elections therefore the need for their invitations.
During the media briefing termed: “PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE 2023 GUBERNATORIAL AND STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTION” , Ojukwu said NHRC monitors reported some success in the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the Gubernatorial elections when compared to the Presidential elections of the 25th of February, however there were reports of electoral violence, Attacks on INEC Officials, Violence at Polling Units in Lagos, Rivers, Nasarawa, Kano and Enugu States.
The Commission said it also received reports of disruption of elections in Ogbia Constituency 2 in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and ballot box snatching in Enugu East LGA of Enugu State, attacks on journalists in Lagos and deaths on election day in Lagos, Katsina and Benue States,
Giving the Commission’s recommendations moving forward, the Executive Secretary urge the Nigeria Police Force should arrest and prosecute all verified cases of political violence including attacks and snatching of ballot boxes and materials.
The commission also advised the Nigeria Police Force deploy human rights based approaches in managing cases of post – election violence and ensure the protection of lives and properties as we conclude the 2023 electoral circle.
As part of its recommendations, the commission urge all law enforcement and security agents in the remaining unconcluded ongoing elections maintain political neutrality and impartiality in these election operations.
