The Conflict Research Network, West Africa (CORN West Africa) yesterday alerted the Federal Government and security agencies that terrorism will threaten the conduct of 2023 elections in the. North-East region except pro-active context specific security plan is designed for the zone.
This was part of the recommendations given at the CORN West Africa Research Colloquium webinar, themed: “Nigeria Decides 2023: Conducting Elections in Context of Political Violence and State Fragility”.
CORN West Africa is a knowledge platform and academic community for scholars based in institutions in West Africa, who are working in the field of peace, security, and political violence with a growing network of more than 150 members across 35 institutions in West Africa.
Speaking on the topic, “Election amid Terror: Terrorism and the 2023 Elections in Nigeria’s North East”, Dr. Babayo Sule of the Department of International Relations, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, and member Conflict Research Network, West Africa, stated that improved security of lives and properties before the elections in northeast will encourage people to come out to vote.”
According to him, terrorism remains a major threat to the conduct of 2023 elections in the North-East, arguing that elections may not hold in areas under the control of terror groups in the region except counter-terrorism capmpaign is stepped up to clear the way.
Government, he said, must “significantly reduce the areas that are under the control and influence of Boko Haram before the 2023 general elections. Extra security personnel should be deployed to ensure the safety of lives, properties, INEC officials and electoral materials”.
According to him, many areas in the North-East remains inaccessible, while several people have been internally-displaced; this according to him, will impact on their participation in the elections.
While speaking, a Director of CORN West Africa, Dr. Tarila Marclint Ebiede, stated that “Nigeria is struggling with different forms of insecurity and violent conflicts that may affect the credibility of the elections in some regions such as the North East, and North-West where there are ongoing conflicts”.
