NHRC Raises Alarm Over 118 Alleged Electoral Misconducts

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, August 12th, 2016

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has alarmed the country that it has a total of 118 alleged electoral offences which indicted political class; individuals and institutions.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe, made the allegation public Thursday in Abuja at the presentation of the “End Electoral Impunity” project report.

The offences according to the Commission’s boss were committed between 2007 and 2011 elections by the political class, individuals as well as various institutions which were engaged with conduct of elections.

Prof. Angwe disclosed that the latest report was a follow up to an earlier version, which was presented in 2014, where a list of the indicted was forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) then for necessary legal actions.

“With the finalization of this report, that list has been upgraded and will also be sent to the AGF and State Attorneys-General.

“We hope necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these people or institutions indicted are held accountable for their infractions during the 2007 and 2011 elections”, Prof Angwe stressed.

The Commission’s Secretary asserted that holding the accused accountable would curb electoral impunity in the country.

While assuring that the Commission would soon commence looking into details of 2015 general elections, Prof. Angwe promised that public hearing to investigate those involved in hate speeches and violence in the 2015 and 1999 elections would soon commence.

The Commission Technical Working Group’s Chairman Prof. Nsongurua Udombana, while presenting the report hinted that the indicted included judges and lawyers.

The Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, stressed the need to drive the electoral process with discipline.

Represented by Federal Electoral Commissioner, Solomon Soyebi, Prof. Yakubu declared that unless Nigerians realized that the ballot paper was a stronger weapon than gun, electoral violence and impunity would strive.