Governors sponsoring violence ahead of February 25 polls: IPAC

With less than a month to Nigeria’s presidential election, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has accused governors of promoting “violence” in the country. 

Yabagi Sani, IPAC Chairman, who made the allegation in Abuja on Monday, said governors were sponsoring touts to attack opposition parties and their candidates. 

“We are deeply concerned about the level of insecurity in the country (Nigeria) spreading in most states where the governors are using sponsored touts to stop and destroy campaign materials and the party offices of the opposition political parties,” Mr Sani said. 

Although the IPAC chairman did not immediately mention the names of the governors, there have been attacks in the country, targeted at the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

This has led to palpable fear that the general elections might be postponed or canceled due to the security challenges across the country.  

The fear follows the continued attacks on INEC properties by suspected arsonists and GUNMEN, especially in the south and southeast region of the country. 

Last year December, data released by the electoral body revealed that the commission recorded 50 attacks on its facilities across 15 states since 2019. 

Speaking further, Mr Sani said that the continued attacks were becoming worrisome and needed to stop. 

He, however, charged security agencies in the country to go after the masterminds and bring them to book. 

“The heightened politically motivated killings and attacks are worrisome and should stop immediately for the citizens to discharge their civic duties.

“Security agents should fish out perpetrators of these heinous crimes and their sponsors to face justice,” Mr Sani added. 

The IPAC chair also asked eligible voters to troop out en mass and collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to vote for the candidates of their choice.