Alex Enumah in Abuja
A social rights group, the Citizens’ Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), has condemned the rising wave of electoral violence and political intimidation across the nation forward of the 2027 normal election.
The group famous that inside days, incidents in Ado-Ekiti, Calabar and Asaba have raised pressing questions concerning the security of candidates, marketing campaign staff and odd residents.
CASER in an announcement issued by its Executive Director, Mr. Frank Tietie, mentioned that Nigerians should be capable of attend a rally, help a candidate or marketing campaign for a political celebration with out risking their lives.
“So far, one Nigerian has been killed in Asaba, while others have been severely injured in the above three locations,” CASER mentioned whereas extending its condolences to the bereaved household and its solidarity to the injured.
The group, accordingly, warned that it’s documenting these incidents and on the identical time placing Nigeria’s political class on discover.
“We will use acceptable nationwide, regional and worldwide mechanisms to pursue accountability for many who perform, order, finance, organise or knowingly facilitate electoral violence. We will press for prosecution wherever the proof warrants it and search compensation and different lawful treatments for victims and bereaved households.
“We will comply with the proof no matter celebration affiliation, political affect or public workplace.
“Section 40 of the Constitution protects peaceable meeting and affiliation. That safety applies to supporters of each political celebration. The police and different competent authorities should act promptly on credible threats and supply safety impartially.
“Federal, state, FCT, and native authorities officers should discharge their respective authorized duties to guard Nigerians’ proper to collect peacefully for political rallies.
“Where public officials participate in attacks, use public resources to facilitate them or breach a legal duty to protect, CASER will pursue personal liability against each one of them wherever the evidence and the law support it,” the assertion learn partially.
CASER, nevertheless, disclosed that it might search joint legal responsibility the place officers or establishments share obligation, and vicarious legal responsibility the place the related authorities or public authority is legally answerable for the conduct of its officers.
The group added that the place officers acquired credible warnings, they’ll demand the information exhibiting who acquired them, what measures have been accessible and what motion was taken.
“Victims and witnesses ought to report each incident to regulation enforcement and notify CASER. They are urged to lodge a proper criticism with the Nigeria Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) or some other competent regulation enforcement authority. They are additionally to inform CASER at: complaints@citizensadvocacy.org OR; citizensadvocacy@gmail.com
“Such notifications to CASER should embrace a contact telephone quantity, the date and site of the electoral violence, and a short account of the incident. Where attainable, such complaints ought to protect unique pictures, movies, threatening messages, medical information, receipts and witness particulars.
“Families might also report on behalf of victims who’ve died or are unable to report. CASER will observe how complaints are dealt with, press for well timed investigations, and pursue acceptable claims for compensation and different redress.
“We name on the Inspector-General of Police and the related Commissioners of Police to protect proof, defend witnesses, and supply public updates on these three investigations, or any others which will happen sooner or later, earlier than and after the elections.
“Political events and candidates should condemn assaults unequivocally, cooperate with investigators and reply for the conduct of anybody they direct or sponsor. Every Nigerian should be free to marketing campaign, assemble and vote with out worry.
“CASER assures the public that electoral violence is totally unacceptable, especially at a time when Nigerians are already being traumatised by some of the worst forms of violence by kidnappers, terrorists and bandits. ‘Enough is Enough!’,” the assertion added.
