Enugu State Network of Civil Society Organizations have condemned the incessant attacks on election observers in Enugu State.
The statement was made available to journalists by the group’s Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Acha.
They alleged that observers duly accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and deployed by their respective organizations were attacked and molested by political thugs and security agencies at the just concluded governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the state.
The group called for a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of the culprits for molesting the election observers.
They said, “notable among the attacks is the one orchestrated by one Mr. Uchenna Offia on one of our election observers. We call for a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of the attackers.
“It is no longer news that some accredited domestic election observers were attacked by thugs in Enugu during the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections held on March 18, 2023, as reported in the newspapers.
“One of the incidents we cannot let go of is what occurred at Obiagu Primary School last bus stop polling unit.
“Dr. Nwangwu Chukwunwike, one of our members who was working under the deployment of Nigeria’s Civil Society Situation Room for the election, was attacked by Uche Offia (AKA Uche Monkey) while performing his legitimate duty of observing the electoral process.
“Mr. Uche Ofiia, according to video evidence, forcefully collected his phone, hit his right eye, and ordered him to leave the polling unit.
“It could have been much worse if the military had not intervened immediately. The victim’s right eye is still in excruciating pain. The medical report will determine the extent of the danger once we receive it.
“This barbaric act is unacceptable to us as civil society, and we will use all legal means to ensure that the perpetrator of this heinous and illegal act is held accountable. Mr. Uche Offia must explain to authorities why he molested and physically abused our member, who was on official duty.
“As members of civil society, we are committed to ensuring that the 2023 general election is held in a peaceful and credible environment; thus, we cannot condone any form of electoral violence or intimidation let alone meted on our member on official duty. The safety and security of observers among others is a priority to us and for sustainable peace and democracy.
“This violation of basic human rights has serious physical and mental health consequences. As a result, we urge all relevant authorities, particularly the police, the DSS, and the National Human Rights Commission, to investigate and prosecute the perpetrator of the crime.
“We also wish to express our dissatisfaction over the obstruction and molestation of one of our observers by officers of Nigerian Army at Igrute Polling Unit of Igboeze North local government area of the state.
“The observer, while on official duty, was obstructed, illegally held and paraded in the military’s patrol vehicle thereby preventing him from performing his official duty of election observation.
“The officers acted illegally without confirming from the INEC officials present to identify the observer. This is truly against the provision of the electoral act 2022 as amended and we call on the army authority to sanction the officers.”
