In a significant development, more than 70 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that have actively advocated for credible elections in Nigeria for over two decades have called upon the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to take urgent action against politicians involved in inciting violence in the state. These politicians have been accused of making incendiary statements and engaging in political disorder that has resulted in loss of life and property.
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Specifically, the CSOs have called upon the IGP to declare the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Ajaka, wanted if he continues to ignore Police invitations for investigations into acts of political violence in the state. The CSOs have staged a peaceful walk in Abuja and submitted a petition titled “PETITION FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN KOGI STATE AND THE ROLE OF SDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, MR. MURTALA YAKUBU AJAKA” to the IGP.
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They displayed placards during the peaceful walk with messages such as “Anyone who ignores Police invitations must be arrested immediately,” “arrest and prosecute killers of Khadijat now,” “Gov. Bello, don’t be soft on promoters of violence,” “we demand peaceful elections in Kogi State,” and “IGP must declare Ajaka wanted now,” among others.
Comrade Israel Abiodun, the Coordinator of the Coalition for Credible Elections, emphasized that the focus of the Peace Walk was the alleged political violence orchestrated by some politicians ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State. The CSOs have also demanded justice for Khadijat Yahaya, an APC supporter who was allegedly killed by SDP thugs, challenging the SDP’s claims about her.
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In their statement, the CSOs highlighted that “Not acting on these allegations does not speak well of the fight against crime and political brigandage in Nigeria.” They emphasized the need for accountability and justice in addressing political violence and promoting peaceful elections in Kogi State.
