2023: Only Abuja And Two States Safe For Election – Report

A research report has submitted that only two states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja are safe for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

The research conducted by CLEEN Foundation identified the safe states as Jigawa and Kano.

This was made known by the Executive Director of the Foundation, Gad Peter on Wednesday in Abuja while presenting the report titled ‘2023 Election Security Threat Assessment.’

He added that 13 states were violence-prone while the remaining 21 had pockets of violence in various quarters.

The foundation identified the violence-prone states as; Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Abia.

Peter said the attacks on security agents and formations as well as some other public infrastructures in some parts of the country call for concern and might be pointers to attempts by some persons to sabotage the forthcoming 2023 elections.

The foundation boss, therefore, called on the security agencies as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy extra measures to nip the threats in the bud.

He said, “The frequent serious attacks on security agencies, installations and infrastructure in recent months are highly worrisome and condemnable. The pattern of recent attacks on security facilities and INEC infrastructure is suggestive that they are facilitated by criminals who are bent on pushing the country off the cliff.

“The law enforcement agencies need to take measures to prevent further attacks to boost the confidence of voters before, during and after the general elections. It is important to note that as recorded by INEC the recent voter registration has recorded the largest number of voters registered in the history of our elections and we are afraid that resources might be wasted if criminal attacks, threats and intimidation through violence and hate speeches lead to voter apathy.

“CLEEN Foundation is worried over the unhealthy and divisive verbal attacks, hate speeches and criminal attacks on police, INEC offices, which if not firmly addressed may pose serious challenges to the elections, peaceful coexistence and the unity of our beloved nation.”