In what it described as a calculated attempt to jeopardize the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the forthcoming gubernatorial poll in Anambra state, SING Nigeria has condemned recent targeted attacks on INEC and Nigerian Police facilities across the south-eastern states and beyond.
The organization made this position in a statement issued by its communication manager, Victor Agi, saying that the continuous incinerations of INEC and Police infrastructures and the inability of the authorities to forestall the situation portends a grave threat to the nation’s electoral processes and security of lives and properties.
Reacting to the latest attack in Awka, Victor further regretted the failure of the nation’s security agencies, and called on the government to wake up to its responsibility of guaranteeing a safe environment for elections and livelihood.
The statement read: “It is more so worrisome that Anambra state which is the recent target of these attacks by the so-called unknown gunmen, is preparing for its gubernatorial poll in November, and while these attacks and wanton destruction of critical infrastructures continued to gain momentum across the region, Nigerians are helpless in the face of a glaringly inefficient security system.”
The organization said that targeting INEC facilities will directly affect election process which it described as an important pillar of democracy, and called for urgent actions from stakeholders.
“May we state that election is important ingredient of democracy and a tool that gives the majority of the people an avenue to decide their political leaders at all levels; hence, attacks on INEC facilities is a direct attack on democracy and the constitutional right of the people to elect those that will govern them.
“SING Nigeria unequivocally condemns these incessant attacks which are a clear message of actors that are disenchanted with the system, and seeking means to destabilize the nation’s electoral process which seems to be our only binding factor.”
While noting that the integrity of the nation’s electoral system will worsen if the attacks continue unfettered, Victor called for remedial actions.
“While we encourage government to champion initiatives that will restore the confidence of the people in the electoral process, we call on the citizen to support security process that will guarantee a safe environment for free, fair and credible elections.
“We therefore strongly call on the government at all levels to immediately strengthen security around essential infrastructures, while finding a lasting solution to the general insecurity situation in the country”, he advised.
