The Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to succumb to threats by some elements who are afraid of losing to truncate the 2023 general elections.
INEC had on Monday raised the alarm over the rising security situation across the country and its impact on the 2023 general elections. It also said that the forthcoming election faces serious threat of cancellation should the insecurity across the country fail to improve.
Daily Independent observed that attacks on INEC offices nationwide by arsonists have risen with just few weeks to the commencement of the of the 2023 elections. According to reports, miscreants have attacked INEC offices and staff over 42 times in the last three years.
Speaking with our correspondent, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC) said there are some centrifugal forces who are doing all they can to prevent the elections from taking place having realised that they will lose.
“We know that there are centrifugal forces who are against the state, especially those who know they cannot win elections. They are trying to make the country ungovernable so that it will be impossible for us to have a free and fair elections”.
“Our strong warning to INEC is that it must not succumb to all these threats and attacks. It is actually targeted towards weakening their resolve to organise a free, fair and credible election in 2023”.
Speaking further, the party said the security agents in the country will be held responsible if the attacks on INEC facilities continue and the electoral body is forced to postpone the exercise.
The party said given the rave of attacks on INEC officials, facilities and materials, it expected that all INEC offices would have been fortified and manned by security agencies but that did not happen.
“Also, it is high time that our security operatives explain to Nigerians how these incessant arson and destruction of INEC offices continue unabated. We expect that given previous attacks, all INEC offices should have been fortified in order to provide an enabling environment for election officers and the materials”.
“It is important that our security officers should double up efforts in ensuring that INEC is given the opportunity to conduct the election while those behind the attacks are apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land”.
“To Nigerians, we appeal to them not to yield to fears by those who do not want them to come out and vote for the leaders of their choice. If this trend continues, we will have a state of anarchy and a free and fair election may not be possible”.
“We will hold the security agencies responsible for their failure to secure and protect the Nigerian state”
