‘Is Lagos A No Man’s Land?’ The Enablers Of Electoral Violence Are Now Jittery Over The Reactions From US, UK
The Oasis Reporters
March 30, 2023
The vile rhetoric leading up to the gubernatorial elections especially in Lagos on March 18 2023 where a lot of violence and intimidation was displayed has led to consequences that were unexpected.
At a personal level, the gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has decided that “there’s no better time to reach out to the Bus drivers, market women and those in the informal sector” who had suffered so much as well.
Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour had also tweeted that they “will explore any and every option to bring justice for the eight people that have died, the four that have lost their sight, the twenty three people that have metal pellets in their body and the many, many others that were brutalized and disenfranchised”.
We will explore any and every option to bring justice for the 8 people that have died, the 4 that have lost their sight, the 23 people that have metal pellets in their body and the many,many others that were brutalized and disenfranchised. #obidients #ourlagos #itsPOssible pic.twitter.com/8wk5z5b4AP
— Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (@GRVlagos) March 29, 2023
A section of Nigerians believed mainly to be of the Yoruba ethnic group and perhaps not Lagosians themselves unleashed the vilest form of propaganda by branding the Labour Party candidate as an Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB) which was a lie, just because his mother is Igbo.
Many Igbos were profiled and prevented from voting.
Ironically, it was happening at a time that a Yoruba born immigrant, Yemi Mobolade is running for the office of Mayor in Colorado Springs in the USA.
(Watch)
So a British High Commission official issued a statement against the enablers of election violence in Lagos, coupled with sanctions.
The USinNigeria has added an extra strong voice.
The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with. https://t.co/GDNonijpn9
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) March 21, 2023
When the self styled political warriors went on the onslaught against seemingly non Yorubas in Lagos with the baseless accusation that Igbos called Lagos a ‘no man’s land’ without any shred of evidence by naming one particular Igbo man or woman who said it, in order to achieve a predetermined aim, they did not expect the reaction that the rest of the civilized world would express.
“MARCH 21, 2023
Nigeria carried out the second round of its electoral process with gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18.
The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.
Members of the U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.
The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning. We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.
We call on Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.
The United States likewise will consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria.
Following the February 25 national elections, the United States joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round.
The March 18 elections appear to have had significant operational improvements, as polling stations generally opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner.
The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with. We further call for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy.”
Seems that the concern and actions expressed by the diplomatic missions signify that it would no longer be business as usual for the enablers of election violence in Nigeria.
The world is watching, and the merchants of violence are jittery.
