Probe attack on Obi, SERAP tells Buhari

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), “to direct the Inspector General of Police Usman Baba to investigate the reported attack on the Labor Party presidential candidate immediately, thoroughly and transparently. , Peter Obi, following a rally in Katsina State and other instances of election-related harassment, harassment and violence across the country.

SERAP also urged Buhari to “instruct Baba and the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, to name and disgrace, and ensure that they are swiftly brought to justice.”

SERAP urged him to “warn state governors to end reported suppression of campaigns by opposition parties within their states, and to ensure the safety and security of opposition candidates, members and supporters. ”

The PUNCH had reported how Obi was attacked after a rally in Katsina with heavy stones while on his way to the airport, his campaign team said in a statement signed by media chief Diran Onifade on Tuesday.

SERAP said the attack followed the reported 339 incidents of election-related harassment, harassment and violence across the country in 2022.

In a letter dated January 28, 2023, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Escalating instances of election-related harassment, harassment and violence are fundamentally inconsistent with the principle of free and fair elections.”

According to SERAP, “Investigating and prosecuting these cases, and bringing the perpetrators to justice, would stop further violence, facilitate free and fair elections and encourage Nigerians to freely exercise their right to vote.”

SERAP said, “Investigating and prosecuting these cases would also promote and safeguard the rule of law and democratic tradition in the country.”

The letter read in part: “The Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the electoral law and the country’s international human rights obligations recognize as fundamental the right to participate in government and the free and fair elections that carry it out.

“We would appreciate the recommended actions being taken within seven days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP will consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Election-related harassment, harassment and violence are grave violations of Nigerians’ rights to participate in the democratic process and free and fair elections, as well as a range of other human rights.”

“Free and fair elections are elections held under conditions that allow voters to cast their votes as they wish, of their own volition without any threat, intimidation, harassment or violence before, during and after elections.”

“Free and fair elections are indispensable to the success of any democracy. But free and fair elections cannot take place in an environment characterized by recurrent instances of election-related harassment, intimidation and violence.

“Fairness means providing equal opportunity and a conducive environment for all contending parties to present their cases to an audience that in turn can make a free choice.

“In a political climate of suppression of opposition party campaigns and other election-related intimidation, intimidation and violence, voters will not feel free to exercise their right to vote.

“SERAP is concerned about increasing impunity for election-related harassment, harassment and violence.

Acting swiftly to address the brutal impunity of election-related harassment, intimidation and violence would also send a strong signal to politicians and non-state actors that your government would not tolerate any action that violates the people’s right to free and fair elections. would undermine. .”