The Nigerian Civil Society “Situation Room”, which is closely monitoring the presidential election, on Sunday night confirmed it had received disturbing reports that some politicians are attempting to use national security apparatuses to manipulate the results of the process.
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the results announced reflect the true outcome of the votes cast by the Nigerian people, and on security personnel to remember they will be held to account and pursued for prosecution under various national and international laws if they undermine the elections.
The “Situation Room” further called on Nigerians to be vigilant and to defend the course of democracy, and on the international community to support the Nigerian people in defense of their right to democratically elect their leaders without subversion by politicians.
See full text of press statement below:
Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room is deeply concerned by reports of attempts across several states of the country to undermine the integrity of the collation of votes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on 28 March 2015.
The Situation Room received disturbing reports that politicians are attempting to use national security apparatuses are to fiddle with the election collation process and pass off results that undermine the credibility of the elections and the sacrifice of millions of Nigerians, who against all odds trooped out to cast their votes on 28 March.
INEC
The Situation Room calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that results that are announced reflect the true outcome of the votes cast by the Nigerian people. Given the many concerns that have been raised and the investments that have been madetowards the conduct of the 2015 general elections, INEC must ensure that its laudable efforts are not marred by a failure or abuse of the collation process and that all announced results are accurate and reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
POLITICIANS
The Situation Room is disappointed at the actions of politicians who are bent on plunging the country into chaos to achieve desperate political ends. Reported electoral fraud being sought to be perpetuated by political forces and security personnel negate the spirit of the Abuja Peace Accord voluntarily signed by the presidential candidates of thepolitical parties, and threaten the peace and stability of the Nigerian nation.
SECURITY AGENCIES
The Situation Room calls on security personnel to note that they will be held to account and pursued for prosecution under various national and international laws if they undermine the elections.
CITIZENS
Situation Room calls on Nigerians to be vigilant at this critical time of our national history and defend the course of democracy.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Situation Room also calls on the international community to support the Nigerian people in defense of our right to democratically elect our leaders, without political subversion by politicians. Situation Room urges the international community to exert every effort in assisting the Nigerian people to hold political actors to account. Where necessary, needed sanctions should be activated and targeted against specific political actors and officials for their action in instigating crisis in Nigeria.
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