By Meletus EZE
The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative (TIFPI), has urged security agencies to give special attention to all red line states during and after the March 9th elections to ensure protection of lives and property.
The Executive Director and Lead observer of the organisation, Mr Livingstone Wechie, made the call on Monday in Abuja to newsmen.
The organisation is an accredited domestic observer for the 2019 general election deploying 785 observers in 26 states, including the FCT for the Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“Relevant security agencies should give special attention to all red line states during the governorship and states assembly elections.
“This is to ensure that all violence indicators are arrested to protect and save lives and property as well as give voters the confidence to freely participate in the process.
“TIFPI is advising that Rivers, for example, where the highest number of death was reportedly recorded with continuous post-election killings and violence, that electoral malpractices should be investigated.
“Sponsors and perpetrators of violence be brought to justice beginning with the setting up of a commission of inquiry and containment measures taken as we approach the March 9th elections,” he said.
According to him, security agencies should beef up security networks nationwide to contain any post election violence.
He said that TIFPI had raised a red flag over ground-swelling of suspected post election violence in parts of the country to avoid uncontrollable implosions.
“We recommend and caution that politicians should tone down their hate and ethic laden speeches and push for national cohesion, peace, unity and reconciliation along the lines of inclusiveness.
“These should be evidenced in their conducts and practices for the sake of peace.
“We also advise winners and losers to see themselves as victors. Nobody should resort to self help, but head to the courts where law provides hope for the common man.
“We urge INEC to make frantic efforts to improve on the governorship and states assembly elections to further address whatever shortcomings and doubt in the minds of stakeholders,” he said.
The organisation commended the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, management and staff for the successful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
TIFPI, according to him, encourages INEC to improve on the upcoming governorship and state assembly elections learning from the shortcomings of the Feb. 23 polls.
“TIFPI charges the INEC boss to remain upright in the face of unrighteousness and defend the integrity of the commission against daunting pressures which ostensibly seek to derail the credibility of the process,”he said.—-NAN
