Amnesty International has called on political parties, politicians, and security forces to refrain from condoning or inciting violence or incitement that could deprive people of their human rights ahead of the presidential and national assembly elections on February 25.
The Nigeria Director of Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho stated, “The desperation of political actors during election campaigns with cases of incitement, as well as attacks on campaign convoys and individuals in some states, is unacceptable. The failure of the authorities to bring to justice those responsible for deadly violence during previous elections has created an atmosphere of impunity and emboldened others.”
She added, “There is also a pattern of gender-based violence by threatening women and girls with rape designed to intimidate or prevent them voting, that must end now. The violent incidents are deeply worrying and may have implications for the general human rights situation before, during and after the elections. The Nigerian authorities, political parties and candidates must uphold their human rights obligations by making sure that discrimination, hostility or violence has no place in the country.”
Several cases of violence against political leaders and campaigners have been documented in recent months, and Amnesty International warns that this violence may escalate further.
Victoria Chimtex, the leader of the Labour Party in the Kaura Local Government Area, was shot dead on November 28, 2022, following multiple reports of violence throughout the year.
The deadly violence continued in 2023, with David Uche, chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Ibeme Ward, being shot dead on January 4, 2023. Ten days later, four people were killed when gunmen attacked and set fire to the home of Ikenga Ugochinyere, a spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties in Imo state.
Amnesty International is a global non-governmental organisation dedicated to human rights, with headquarters in the United Kingdom and over ten million members and supporters worldwide.