There has been a chorus of public indignation at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigeria Police Force over the reported cases of violence in some areas of Lagos during Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly election
Yesterday, social media was awash with reports and videos of hoodlums disrupting the law and order in various polling units across the state.
Igbo residents from the southeastern part of the country were intimidated and bullied to vote for a particular party and candidate rather than their preferred candidates.
Purebred voters of Yoruba origin were also disenfranchised on suspicion or for ‘looking like an Igbo’, escalating the ethnic controversies that shadowed the March 18 polls.
Before Saturday’s election, there was a surge in threats and violence on opposition candidates and their supporters as politicians resorted to pulling ethnic strings to win the electorate’s support and votes following the outcome of the February 25 presidential election in the state.
The APC’s candidate, Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state, lost the state to Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, of the Labour Party (LP) in the presidential election, leading to agitations that the APC’s dominance of Lagos politics may be usurped by the opposition this weekend.
The incumbent governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is seeking a third four-year tenure under the umbrella of the APC.
Saturday’s election was marred by unprecedented violence, intimidation and bully, especially to the Igbos.
In some polling units, thugs hijacked the electoral process and took charge of the conduct of the election. They threatened, created fear and forced voters to either vote for a particular political party or not vote at all, despite the presence of armed policemen.
The police merely played the role of observers instead of enforcers of the law, further strengthening the people’s conviction that the Nigeria Police Force is involved in partisan politics.
Following the controversies that trailed the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly election on February 25, INEC assured that the governorship and houses of assembly election would be hitch-free and credible.
However, with what played out in Lagos yesterday, Nigerians think the commission fell short of expectations. Read some reactions from Nigerians below.
What just happened in Nigeria? An election or a burlesque? Even masquerades voted. Touts and thugs replaced the Electoral Commission and took charge. Shame on INEC and the security agencies for turning our country into a comedy station of the world. #NigeriaDecides2023
— Reuben Abati (@abati1990) March 19, 2023
The mayhem @officialABAT and his criminal enterprise gang unleashed in Lagos today against innocent citizens is what he wants to assume the Office of President and scale to the rest of Nigeria in the name of “controlling the Center?”
Tufia! The God Justice forbids.✍🏾✍🏾
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) March 18, 2023
Nigeria is a disappointment and disgrace to the entire black race in the way and manner we conducted the Nigerian 2023 election . We dashed their dreams, hopes and aspirations . pic.twitter.com/g1STpBkZ5z
— malcolm omirhobo (@MalcolmInfiniti) March 18, 2023
2023 will forever be remembered by Nigerian Gen Zs & Millennials worldwide. It’s a dark year none of us will forget. A Terrorist Organization called the “All Progress Congress – APC,” terrorized, killed & unleashed extreme violence on Nigerians.
Let all History Books remember 💔
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) March 19, 2023
I am really sorry to my Igbo brothers and sisters! Truly. You are not the only tribe in the SW but how you’ve all been demonized is so heartbreaking. APC is a shame, Nigerian police shame, Nigeria is a shame. Shame… shame!
Stand strong everyone… stand strong.— Dj Switch (@dj_switchaholic) March 18, 2023
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