A political advocacy group under the aegis of Violence- Free Election Group (VFEG) has urged security agencies to arrest sponsors and perpetrators of electoral fraud in the interest of Nigeria’s growing democracy.
The call was made by Paul Osagie, coordinator of the body,when he addressed a press conference in Abuja on Friday on the verdict of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, which nullified the election of Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as senator representing Abia North.
The three-man appellate panel headed by Justice I. G. Mbaba had, last Thursday, declared that the March 28 National Assembly election in Abia North was marred by high-level irregularities, while results were mutilated.
According to the NGO, the era of electoral rigging and violence is over as President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his determination to ensure that anyone caught in the criminal act of manipulating, rigging and falsification of election results will not go unpunished.
Osagie said, “based on the presidential stance against election fraud , it is pertinent for the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase to swing into action by bringing Ohuabunwa and his agents to face penalties for their unconstitutional actions during the March 28 senatorial poll in Abia North.
“It is only when people are punished for their negative actions that others will desist from unruly behaviour.
“Nigeria’s democracy is growing and in order to sustain the tenets of democracy, we must conduct ourselves in a responsible manner.”
The group called on relevant stakeholders, especially political parties, to play the game by the rules, adding that politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.
