The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has condemned in unison and in all ramifications, the trend of political violence, hate speech and other negative tendencies in our electoral process and reached a consensus to the need to present a common front with the Nigeria Police, INEC, Military and other security agencies in nipping the negative trend in the bud and condemned attacks on INEC personnel and assets ahead of the 2023 General elections
This was contained in a Communiqué jointly signed by leaders of Political Parties and Other Stakeholders in Preparation for the 2023 General Elections at the strategic electoral stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Inspector-General of Police held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on the 17th of November, 2022.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) who also doubles as the Chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani as well as Chairmen and Representatives of other Political Parties stated that the stakeholders at the meeting recognised that political violence, hate speech, threat, political intolerance, misinformation, and political extremism are potent threats to democracy and national security interests.
He added that, stakeholders expressed grave concerns on the conduct of some State Governors in deploying State Powers to deny opposition parties and candidates to advance their electoral freedom and activities in their States.
They also expressed concerns on the continuous and illegal deployments of sub-national, quasi security bodies by some State Governors to intimidate political opponents in violation of the Electoral Act.
They recognised the need to protect our democratic heritage and national security interests in order to insulate the country from possible subversive activities by foreign powers
In addition, stakeholders at the meeting expressed concern on the continuous and illegal deployments of sub-national, quasi security bodies by some State Governors to intimidate political opponents in violation of the Electoral Act.
They called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to be conscious of not just violence before and during the elections, but also possible violence after the General Elections and the impact such could have on the credibility and successful conclusion of the process
They also called on the Police and other security agencies to remain professional, apolitical and impartial in the performance of their election security operations and to be firm in dealing with electoral violence and other threats to the election security process.
Stakeholders also recognised the assurances by INEC to continue to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and to continue to synergise with the Nigeria Police as the lead agency in the election security management process towards addressing threats within the electoral process and in guaranteeing a peaceful and credible 2023 General Elections
They assured that the leaderships of all Political Parties will re-dedicate themselves towards undertaking their campaigns and electoral activities within the dictates of the Electoral Act, 2022 and pledged to denounce electoral violence, hate speeches and other negative tendencies in the electoral process
IPAC encouraged the Inspector General of Police to extend the engagement to Presidential, Governorship and other candidates across all Parties as it is recognised that most instances of violence are associated with some of them and their followers.
They commended the Inspector General of Police for his vision in convening the meeting and encouraged him to sustain the initiative of engaging the leaderships of political parties in addressing threats to the electoral process and also encouraged him to cascade the initiative to the State and Local levels of governance for the initiative to have grassroots effect.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, highlighted the concerning effects of hate speech, threat, violence and tendency by strategic political actors including some state governors in initiating actions that deny opposition parties from manifesting their electoral rights as enshrined in the electoral Act, 2022 as amended.
He emphasised the effects of such acts on the electoral process and national security, and challenged the leadership of Political Parties and candidates whom he described as ‘critical gatekeepers to our democracy’’ to demonstrate purposeful and patriotic leadership that will guarantee a peaceful electoral process in line with the commitment made during the Peace Accord signing ceremony on 29th September, 2022 and in deference to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to bequeath to the nation a democratic heritage in which the interests and wishes of the electorates take pre-eminence.
In attendance were Chairmen and representatives of seventeen (17) registered political parties in Nigeria; the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who was represented by Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj. Gen. SA Adebayo; Director-General Department of State Services represented by Director of Operations, Mr. Joseph Dashwip.
Other attendees were the representatives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service and members of the Force Management Team.
