Kunle ADELABU
-Says No To Electoral Violence
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu (m) saying ‘no to electoral violence’. He his flanked by Comrade Samson Bisiriyu, Ikorodu Local Government Monitor for Nigeria Election Violence Report Project (NEVR) (l) and another member of the group (r) during the group’s visit to the Ayangbure’s palace in Ikorodu on Wednesday
The Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the paramount ruler of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has expressed his displeasure at the number of registered voters in his domain and Lagos State in general.
Oba Shotobi expressed his dissatisfaction at the 6 million and about 340,000 voters that registered for the 2019 General Elections in Lagos State and Ikorodu Local Government respectively while receiving Monitors of the Nigeria Election Violence Report Project (NEVR) in his palace in Ikorodu on Wednesday, February 20,2019.
The monitoring task for the election violence is being undertaking by KIMPACT Development Initiative for Southwest Election Violence Observers for an international election monitoring group, International Foundation For Electoral System (IFES) based in Abuja.
The royal father also lent his voice to the campaign against violent conducts before, during and after elections.
“It is quite unfortunate that despite that Lagos population is about 22million, only 6million plus registered for the election. How do we justify that in terms of agitating for developments in the state if we do not register to vote?
“Conservatively, Ikorodu is about 6million people but only 330, 000 are registered voters. This is not good enough”.
Oba Shotobi also pledged his total commitment and support for the campaign against electoral violence by signing the ‘Electoral Violence Monitoring and Mitigation’ pledge card during the group’s visit to his palace on wednesday
The monarch opined that residents that took the pains to collect their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) cannot cause violence.
“I do not see those 6million people that had dedicated their time to collect their PVC causing violence during the elections.”
He assured that violence has no place in Ikorodu anymore.
“We are definitely saying no to electoral violence in Ikorodu. Those of us that are privileged are not fighting with ourselves and we are also expecting the populace to ensure peaceful conducts among themselves too.
“My understanding of Ikorodu people is that violence is no more in our dictionary.
“We have been talking to people and the politicians and they have all embraced peacefully conduct. The politicians are now wining and dining together.”
Oba Shotobi lamented that the shift in election date affected plans of many Nigerians.
He, however, appealed to people with PVC to ensure that they vote during the Presidential/National Assembly on February 23 and Governorship/State Assembly elections slated for March 2.
“I have been telling other Obas that they should engage their people and ensure that they vote massively in the coming elections because that is the only way to make big statement.
He commended the KIMPACT Development Initiative for taking up the task of monitoring the elections.
“I quite commend your good intention in monitoring the elections but you should have commenced long time ago.
“If you had come earlier, we would have provided you with access to our chiefs and other critical stakeholders for you to interact with them.”
He enjoined the monitors to ensure an objective coverage and reportage of the elections which according to him, would help the country in future elections.
“Your coming here (palace) today should not end here. I implore you to go into the town and talk with the people. You also have to ensure that you give an objective situation report after the elections.
Oba Shotobi also pledged his total commitment and support for the campaign against electoral violence by signing the ‘Electoral Violence Monitoring and Mitigation’ pledge card.
Comrade Oluwafemi John Adebayo, the Communication Officer of the project, while speaking earlier, stated that International Foundation For Electoral System (IFES)is a reputable organization in election coverage globally.
He explained that KIMPACT Development Initiative (KDI) is one of the bodies engaged by IFES to conduct the Nigeria Election Violence Report Project (NEVR) in the six geopolitical zones in the country.
“IFES which operates in 145 countries is aimed at deepening and advancing democracy globally.
“The body mitigate electoral violence by engaging stakeholders. The second part of the project is to monitor and write report of our findings.
“Since we have started the project, we have recorded violence in many states in Southwest which is generally thought to be peaceful.
“We intend to use the data gathered to help in preventing electoral violence in future. The data will assist in knowing where and how to intervene.
Comrade Samson Bisiriyu, the Nigeria Election Violence Report Project (NEVR) Monitor for Ikorodu Local Government and the Coordinator, Ikorodu Division Youths Movement who led the delegation to the Ayangbure Palace, assured that the body will be objective in its coverage of the elections.
In an interview with THE IMPACT, Bisiriyu stated that electioneering conducts in Ikorodu have been peaceful and enjoined the public, especially the youths, not to engage in any violence conduct or allow themselves to be used as agents of violence by desperate politicians.
