EU says ‘organized violence’ marred Nigeria’s governorship polls

The European Union’s elections observer team has confirmed reports of widespread violence during Saturday’s governorship elections, accusing political actors of organizing attacks and intimidation of voters, observers and journalists.

The group returned a similarly critical assessment of the Feb. 25 presidential election. In that poll, the team criticized the electoral commission’s performance, especially its failure to upload election results as promised.

In the second post-election statement released Monday, Chief Observer Barry Andrews, who is a member of the European parliament, said, “Throughout the mission we saw that Nigerians have a great appetite for democracy and are keen to engage in various civic activities.”

“However, in many parts of the country, their expectations were not met. Many were disappointed and we witnessed voter apathy that is in part a clear consequence of failures by political elites and, unfortunately, also by INEC,” he said.

He said Inec “lacked transparency” despite introducing some corrective measures ahead of the polls, allowing a timely delivery of sensitive materials and improved use of election technologies.

“Polling on election day was disrupted by multiple incidents of thuggery and intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers, and journalists. Lagos, Kano, and other states in the southern and central part were most affected. Unfortunately, there were many casualties and fatalities. Vote-buying, also directly observed by EU EOM observers, further detracted from an appropriate conduct of the elections,” it said.

The governorship and state assembly elections across 28 states witnessed violent attacks on voters with at least two people killed. In Lagos, several videos showed voters warned against voting another party than the ruling APC. Those who defied were severely beaten.

He federal government has yet to speak on the attacks. Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state remained welcoming to all residents, urging calm after an intense use of ethnic slurs and hateful rhetoric.

“Campaigns in state elections were competitive. Fundamental freedoms of assembly and movement were largely respected. However, insecurity impeded the canvass for votes in certain parts of the country and organised violent attacks shortly before the elections in several states led to a fearful atmosphere,” the EU team said.

“Some states governors took executive actions, negatively affecting the campaign environment. EU EOM observers also saw misuse of administrative resources, including through various financial and in-kind inducements to voters, giving an undue advantage to the party in power.”