Aba North/South Federal Constituency 2021 Election Should Not Breed Insecurity

The Attention of Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development FENRAD (as acronymed), a pro-democracy and rights group, has been drawn to the spate of threats to security in the form of coordinated attacks against security agencies and citizens in Abia and as well to the ongoing campaign for the coming federal by-election for House of Representatives (Aba North/South Federal Constituency) characterised by trade of words and blames, incrimination and counter-incrimination – capable of heating the polity up – by aspirants during a time when the security fabric of the state appears almost fragile.

FENRAD regrets the killings, in Abiriba, of some police officers and as well the fact that a yet to be known group could brazenly confront the military in an open fire that happened in the wee small hours of Wednesday, March 24, 2021 along Ariaria Express axis. This, FENRAD laments, does not bode well for the coming election.

In a radio programme – Office of the Citizens: EndSARS Judicial Panel of Enquiry Briefing – on Real FM 99.1 FM, where he featured as a guest, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, the Executive Director of FENRAD, urged all parties and aspirants to, in the interest of peace sheathe their swords and play by the rules. “Elections”, he said, “would come and go but Abia will always remain”.

FENRAD has, as is consistent with its civic duty and mandate, followed and keenly observed the campaigns for the said federal by-election for Aba. As a group, FENRAD is agitated that most of the debates or campaign talks were ad hominems, smear campaigns and mostly about non-issue. A campaign whose words – either textual or verbal – are laden with accusations of who built what roads and who did not; “gutter language” and sundry diversionary antics instead of focusing on the constituents and their fundamental needs is empty, hollow and lacking in depth. The duties of a legislator are: representation, oversight and lawmaking but it appears these were not the issues with the campaign than were mere animadversions.

Campaigns now concluded, it is instructive that the polity enjoys relative peace leading voters to the 609 polling units. FENRAD in this regard enjoins all aspirants to abide by the peace instrument to which they are signatories and undersigned. The use of thugs for ballot snatching and sundry illegalities should not be condoned. FENRAD calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under Dr. Joseph Ilo to ensure that the electoral body remains neutral, impartial and transparent – as is its mandate in the Electoral Act – and committed towards giving Abians credible and hitch-free election come March 27. The 2900 staff INEC is deploying across all the polling units must be briefed never to compromise. Also does FENRAD call on INEC to ensure that the problem of logistics for the two local councils – Aba North and South – where the election is happening does not arise. Sensitive and non-sensitive materials must, as is necessary, be despatched to all polling units and 24 Registration Areas within the constituency.

FENRAD wishes to remind the 498,390 registered voters that election is not war or do or die as some gladiators would have the electorate and their supporters believe. Voters should weigh candidates well on ideological scale or any other basic priority before voting and as well to shun all monetary inducements. To vote and protect their votes is the way to democracy. FENRAD calls also on the media to ensure effective coverage and objective reportage of the election just as it urges volunteers to go about their jobs without fear or favour.

This election calls for peaceful approach given that the aftermath of the EndSARS protest highjacked by hoodlums created a serious security lull leading to rise in cult activities, attacks on and burning of police stations and carting away of arms thereof heretofore. This state of affairs in the state security network should not be worsened further by some political interests. FENRAD calls on and pleads with security agencies to ensure smooth, peace and credible election on March 27. Lastly, FENRAD wishes Aba constituents and all parties and as well stakeholders a free, credible and peaceful election for Saturday, March 27, 2021.

Election is not the war we must win, insecurity rather is.

Signed. Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development
(FENRAD)

Barr. Olusegun Bamgbose
Head Legal Team
FENRAD