For Immediate Release
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) expresses deep concern over the spate of violence and electoral violence that has recently clouded the political landscape of Anambra State, leading to the November 6, 2021, governorship election. KDI, through her electoral violence monitoring initiative, received several reports of incidents of violence ranging from invasion of party offices, attacks on party members, gruesome murders, and destruction of campaign and private properties. These incidents in the last 7 days have left more than 13 individuals dead and scores injured. The most worrisome part of these happenings is that – they are not getting the attention of the mainstream media.
It is imperative to note that if these acts of violence are not swiftly curtailed, it could lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state. These happenings are dangerous signals for the country’s fragile democracy. It will not just place the Anambra election in the path of uncertainty; we might also be risking constitutional crises – because the increasing insecurity could result in the postponement or cancellation of the gubernatorial election.
Additionally, the disturbing killings and attacks in Anambra State threaten citizens’ participation in the upcoming gubernatorial election, leading to low voters’ turnout. As it stands, history is bound to repeat itself as all indications are pointing towards voter apathy, including the IPOB Sit-at-Home order; KDI had previously raised concern on this.
With these sad occurrences, the government and all other stakeholders cannot afford to be complacent. Urgent action is required to deescalate the conflict in the state. Therefore, we urge all stakeholders -CSOs, government institutions, law enforcement agencies, including the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), and the Civil Defense Corps, to urgently take steps to halt the growing violence in the state. We call for stakeholder and inter-agency dialogue to finding a solution to the spate of killings in the state.
Signed
Bukola Idowu
Executive Director
Kimpact Development Initiative.
About NEVR
Nigeria Election Violence Report (NEVR) is KDI’s citizen-led violence tracking initiative to provide an impartial voice on violent incidents in Nigeria, primarily electoral and armed conflict. This is done by using a scientific approach to quantify the impact of insecurity and violent incidents on democratic stability. KDI uses VTrack to document and publish disaggregated data on electoral violence and inform stakeholders in numbers why the security of live and properties matters.
Last modified: September 30, 2021
