Tomorrow is the D-day. Nigeria’s 2011 elections will kick off with the National Assembly contestants slugging it out in different states of the federation. So far, the level of violence recorded in some states has been frightening if not disturbing. Though, both the Police and other security agencies have been preaching for a violence-free elections, the political gladiators seems poised to throw caution to the winds as cases of bloody violence have been reported in almost all the states of the federation. Security agencies have also assured of their preparedness to counter this ugly development. Crime Alert went to town to examine the emerging scenario as indicated by situation reports from all the states of the federation.
“We are ready to go” DIG “A” Azubuko Udah, CP Delta, Mamman Chafe and rtd CP, Odita seem to be saying at the recently concluded Vanguard/Police Conference on violence-free elections held in Asaba, Delta State.
(1)Abia State
This God’s Own State may witness flashes of electoral violence. The now leading opposition party, Progressive Peoples’ Alliance, was the party of choice up until a year ago when the current governor of the state who was in that party, crossed over to People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The opposition PPA plans to take back the state at all costs and PDP is poised to utilize power of incumbency to remain in power. As it were, both parties are gearing up for the worst. The Police on its part, have warned politicians in the state to play the game according to the rules or be ready to face the music asserting their readiness to deal with perpetrators of violence in any part of the state.
(2).Adamawa State
This state boasts of bigwigs in the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, who are battle ready to maintain the status quo. Some leading members of the party have crossed over to some opposition parties (ACN, CPC, ANPP and even APGA), picked up the parties’ flags and ready to fight it out with their former party.
There is confusion in the state arising from the court judgement declaring that there is no vacancy in the Government House for now. Appeal is on and people are waiting for the outcome.
(3).Akwa Ibom State
Currently, the richest state in Nigeria. The state has the fastest developing state capital in Africa, according to recent research. There is strong apprehension in the state emanating from the deadly desire by the opposition to take over the state. A clash between the ruling PDP and opposition ACN recently recorded what should be tagged as one of the major bloody violence during 2011 elections in the country. Though the gubernatorial candidate of the major opposition party, ACN is presently facing treason charges in Abuja as a result of the violence, members of the party have vowed to assert their hold in the state regardless of the tribulations of their leader. The new Police Commissioner, Mr. Felix Uyanna has assured that his men are ready to deal with any untoward situation that may arise in the state assuring that they are well equipped and ready to protect lives and properties during this period. He has therefore carried out major discreet internal changes geared towards equipping his men for the challenges ahead.
(4)Anambra State
There will be no governorship election in the state. The elections into the National and State Assemblies will be highly contentious, as leading gladiators are beating drums of war. Already, pockets of bloody violence have been recorded when one of the senatorial candidates narrowly escaped death after he was attacked by politcal thugs while on campaign. The sate government, on its part, hurriedly banned further political campaigns in markets all over the state. Even though the state is known for spontaneous breakout of violence in past elections, observers are worried that the number of political heavy weights involved in the national assembly elections may result in bloody clashes. Police authorities in the state nevertheless, has assured that security will be guaranteed during the period. The Command spokesman, Emeka Chukwuemeka told Crime Alert, “We have over 400 polling units in the state. In collaboration with a the sister agencies, we are going to cover all the units. All the VIP’s with security aids have been told that nobody should be escorted to the units. The vigilante groups who have been assisting police to fight crimes have been dissolved to avoid being used as thugs by anybody. We will provide a level playing field for all the candidates and we will also ensure that voters are not intimidated. We will ensure that the vots displayed counts this time around”.
(5)Bauchi State
The supremacy rivalry currently playing out between the incumbent governor of the state, Mallam Isa Yuguda and the present minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Bala Muhammed is the spark igniting the horrendous level of violence in the state. Things are likely going to get worse during and after the elections. The state always takes up the toga of a strong base outside Bomo State for the insurgence Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram. Their revolt against establishments will most probably take a more disturbing trend during the election.
(6).Bayelsa State
This is the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan but the two main combatants for the soul of the state are Governor Timipre Sylva and the immediate past Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe. The two have large ardent followers who are ready to do the bidding of their principals. In the last six months, about five explosions have rocked this oil-rich state.
Recent security indicator shows that the state may be navigating towards a state of bedlam, if political actors in the state do not caution their followers. Police in the State have taken gigantic steps towards checkmating violence in the state by carrying out total reshufflement of their officers and men in all the units in the state.
(7)Benue State
The attempt on the life of a Senatorial candidate in the state, Major-General Lawrence Onoja, is a clear testimony of the level of political violence in the state. One is not sure who it will be next. Political contenders in the state appear to be ferocious in their quest to be declared winners after the elections no
matter the cost. The result will be more violence.
(8).Borno State
This state will be the most security flashpoint in the North-East zone of Nigeria and indeed, the whole of the country. There are different contending forces currently oiling the wheels of violence in the state. The ruling All Nigeria Peoples’ Party, ANPP, is eager to maintain the status , but PDP appears battle ready to wrestle power from ANPP, using whatever means and method, both acceptable and unacceptable. Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, has gained a lot of ground in the state. The main anchor for mayhem in the state is the Boko Haram. They have made the state turbulent and a base to launch attacks on the other states of the
zone.
(9).Cross River State
The level of political violence in the state is low and will remain low, howbeit, for now.
(10).Delta State
Opposition groups in the state are hellbent in their mission to take over the governance of the state from ruling PDP. Ironically, the state has remained peaceful since the last bomb explosions that shook Warri and the state capital, Asaba. The State Police Commissioner, Mamman Chafe told Crime Alert that no stone would be left unturned in seeing that the elections were violence-free. He particularly cautioned his officers and men that any of them that is not ready to work in the state should quietly come for immediate transfer as no room would be given for indolence. “We have also taken care of political activities at both the inland ways and water ways. We are ready for action”, he stated.
(11).Ebonyi State
This sleepy state in the South-East zone of Nigeria has joined the league of Intolerable State to Opposition (ISO) by the recent actions and statements of the state’s governor, Chief Martins Elechi. Though, the vibrant opposition parties alleged that the governor seems to be fanning the embers of violence, no major political violence has been recorded.
(12).Edo State
Political thuggery is a viable trade and means of livelihood in this state known for its cultural heritage. The viability of thuggery in this dispensation is limited since there will be no governorship election in the state. But some politicians have been directly hit and killed by the usual unknown gunmen. More are still likely to fall victims.
(13).Ekiti State
Violence broke out in Omo Ekiti in Ekiti East with the police allegedly shooting dead a PDP supporter while attempting to quell the mayhem. The former speaker of the state house of assembly narrowly escaped death during the encounter. This development has put security agents on their toes and with the spate of kidnaping, they are ready to face any violence that may erupt in the state.
(14).Enugu State
All the firing steam has fizzled out and the state is set for a violence- free elections. The various gladiators in the state political arena used up all they had in their arsenal during the parties primaries and are now recuperating from their battles and injuries. Security reports however did not completely rule out violence in the days ahead going by the antecedents of the leader of one of the opposition parties who is also struggling to retain his seat in the senate.
(15).Gombe State
Apart from the threat of Boko Haram incursion in the state, elections will be violence -free.
(16)Imo State
The personalities lined up for the gubernatorial and senatorial elections, present what is called the ‘Group of Death’ and this makes the elections to be more attention-grabbing. Apart from criminal kidnaping and political intimidation and harassment, nothing has been reported in the area of a more life threatening political violence and killings as it was in the past. That is not to say that all is politically well with the Heartland of the Eastern Nigeria. The Police in the state has however assured of its readiness to ensure peace, orderliness, protection of lives and property and a level playing field for all political parties and their respective candidates. The Police boss, Ibrahium Maishanu has also met with the state leadership of all the political parties an their candidates where he made it clear that the command would arrest any person or group of persons who go contrary to the provisions of both the electoral and Public Order Act.
(17).Jigawa State
This home of Talakawas and Alimis presents an interesting scenario. The Talakawas (commoners) are queuing behind progressive parties, while the elites known as the Alimis are for the ruling PDP. In the past, the Alimis use the Talakawas to foment trouble but now there is strong divide between both strata.
The result is that there are no willing hands for political violence.
(18)Kaduna State
There is an easy calm pervading in this home state of the current Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo. He is reported not to be grounded politically in the state. He will fight to deliver the state for his party. At what cost, you may also ask? Though, the pulse of the Kaduna people is for peaceful elections, political actors are whipping up ethnic and religious sentiments for their selfish gains.
(19).Kano State
The contenders for the control of Nigeria’s most populous state, according to the last census result, are really strong and battle ready because the control of the state is the control of the artery of the Northern Nigeria’s economy. Until eight years ago, this commercial state was the hot-bed of violence in the North. The state under the incumbent governor and the presidential candidate of the ANPP, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has embraced all round peace. Ironically, political violence in the state is low and will remain low until the elections results are announced.
(27).Ogun State
The home state of Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, known for intolerance to opposition may boil during and after the elections. Opposing contenders are pulling up their sleeves in readiness for showdown. The scope and extent of the showdown is unknown but the warring forces are
known.
(28).Ondo State
For the first time, the level of political violence will be low because the battlefield is limited. There will be no governorship election in the state.
(29).Osun State
Uneasy calm hovers around the entire state and people are apprehensive not knowing what could happen next but for now the state is peaceful. The state will not participate in this year’s gubernatorial election.
(30).Oyo State
The state is reputed as the home of political violence and has maintained that inglorious status till date. Several harassments and killings have taken place recently in the state and more are still likely to take place. The state governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, is said to have distaste for opposition with a passion and ready to crush any against him.
(31).Plateau State
In the recent past, the state has remained the signpost for violence in Nigeria. The orgy of violence taking place in the state is quite instructive to what will happen during and after the elections. The mindless killings will continue as the present governments are not doing anything to properly manage or contain the situation.
(32).Rivers State
The governorship election will present what is tagged the “Clash of the Titans” that could pose serious breach to security but with the police in the state poised to checkmate any excesses, the gladiators seem to be playing according the rules and avoiding acts of violence.
(33).Sokoto State
The Home of the Caliphate is not known for disturbing violence and this 2011 elections will not be different.
(34).Taraba State
The resolution of the Tivs and Jukuns fratricidal conflicts has made the state peaceful. The level of violence will be low, if any at all.
(35).Yobe State
The Boko Haram factor will remain the major issue in the state and will continue to be a threat to governance and all activities of the establishment.
(36).Zamfara State
There will be some flashes of politically-motivated violence across the state during and after the elections.
(37).Federal Capital Territory
Elections in the FCT will be highly contestable, with all parties gearing for broke, political violence may not be ruled out. The good news is that the police in FCT are fully prepared and may not spare anybody who tries to foment trouble.
Source : Vanguard Newspaper
No comments:
Post a Comment