By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Barely a week to the general elections, the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA) has raised alarm that there has been 25 reported cases of physical violence associated with the upcoming polls cutting across 10 local governments in Plateau State.
YIAVHA also said there were also 3 cases of destruction of property, 7 of election related protests, 4 cases of recruiting and arming thugs reflected in one LGA of the State.
It equally revealed that there were 10 reported cases of restrictions on political activities across 4 LGAs, and 13 reported cases of groups barred from using public spaces for campaigns.
Adding that there were 52 reported cases of vote buying across 15 LGAs of the State.
Executive Director, YIAVHA, Comrade Pwakim Jacob Choji made the disclosure at the inauguration of the Plateau State Peace and Mediation Working Committee and Media Engagement Around 2023 Election in Jos, the State Capital.
Choji said, “Preparatory to the 2023 elections, according to the January 2023 Plateau State report supplied by the Long Time Monitors spread across the 17 local governments of Plateau State as shared by our partners the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), International Republican Institute (IRI) with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), there have been 25 number of reported cases of physical violence associated with elections across 10 Local Governments.
“There were 3 cases of destruction of property, 7 cases of related protests, 4 cases each of recruiting and arming thugs reflected in just one Local Government.
He further explained that, “There were 10 reported cases of restrictions on political activities across 4 Local Governments, and 13 reported cases of groups barred from using public spaces for campaigns.
“Interestingly, there have been 52 reported cases of vote buying across 15 Local Governments of the State”, he maintained.
Choji however said they will not revealed the identities of the local governments affected for now.
“It will interest you to know that, where issues of vote buying as reported here and matters of safety and privacy of voting points remain a point of concern to many voters; it is also instructive to note that, amidst the fragility highlighted above, this particular election will be held amidst increasing security challenges, increased digital activism by young people which increases sensitivity around the elections.
“Considering all these vulnerabilities, we remain grateful to these 7 men,and women who have accepted to serve in the ‘Peace and Mediation Working Committee’ in Plateau State; who will serve dual function of being a strategic structure that designs actions to be taken in view of the available statistics about emerging issues, and as a rapid response team that reaches out to those in a position to take action where the peace and credibility of the election process is threatened”, he stressed.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Emir of Kanam, HRH Muhammaduu Muazu Muhammadu ii, represented by the Zanan Kanam, HRH Lawatla Tanko, commended the organisation for the opportunity to serve the society and assured that they will do their best to deliver on the mandate.
Members of the committee were drawn from the traditional council, security, civil society, religious and the media.
