Nigerian Human Rights Community, NIHRIC, has described the outcome of the just concluded Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in Lagos as true representation of the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state.
The group said the emergence of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the governorship confirmed that he was the choice of the people.
NIHRIC’s declarations were made on Thursday by its Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adeleye, when he was addressing journalists in Lagos on the preliminary report on election observation during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.
The group said the 2023 election was the most peaceful election since 1999 in the post military era and also scored the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, high.
While reeling out some of their observations, Adeleye said it was not surprising that they chose Lagos as one of their focal points.
The group said in the last gubernatorial election in Lagos, about 680 observers were deployed across the 20 local governments and local council development areas in the state.
It said it took a dialectical overview of the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats before, during and after the election.
“There is no election all over the world that is perfect. Yet, there is no election all over the world that is 100 per cent bad. The election was preceded by ethnic and religious baiting. Yet residents of Lagos still came out to vote.
“We observed that Lagos State government made concerted efforts to engage all stakeholders in the state before the governorship election. We also recognise the impressive moral authority demonstrated by the governor and his constructive engagement. Election was peaceful in major parts of the state, except the death of one linked to voters but not to the security operatives.”
NIHRIC said security operatives carried out their duties professionally and did not interfere with the election in any manner.
The group said the electorate were not intimidated by security officials, while voters harassment and bullying by security officials were absent.
“On security, Lagos State met global standards on election. Voters expressed their will without armed intimidation or widespread violence in units monitored and across the state compared with other states of the federation where armed invasion of polling units was recorded on large scale. The officials of INEC deserve commendation for their actions throughout the conduct of the election as they arrived early.
“The result of the election was announced less than 72 hours after the process began.”
Mr. Adeleye further said that the group’s observation was that the election was generally peaceful.
He said they rated INEC performance impressive and recommended that Bimodal Voters Accreditation System should continue to be used by the election umpire with room for improvement.
He said they recognised that elections should be conducted in a democratic manner that meets the local and international expectations.
“We call for healing of wounds and fractured hearts. We are impressed by the statement credited to Lagos State Governor that he would meet all stakeholders again to ensure ethnic and religious harmony in Lagos State. It is a condition needed for prosperity to reign.
“The civil society and community based organisation also have important roles to play in ensuring peace and orderliness in Lagos. We also call for ethnic profiling in whatever form. We call on the aggrieved to explore all legal and peaceful means and all parties should also reject violence as a means of dissent expressions.”
