Only 3 states safe for elections – CLEEN Foundation

The CLEEN Foundation has said that only three states of Jigawa, Kano and FCT are absolutely safe and peaceful for the conduct of this year’s February 24 and March 11 general elections. Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Gad Peter, said this on Wednesday in Abuja while formally presenting the ‘2023 Election Security Threat Assessment’. He […]

The CLEEN Foundation has said that only three states of Jigawa, Kano and FCT are absolutely safe and peaceful for the conduct of this year’s February 24 and March 11 general elections.

Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Gad Peter, said this on Wednesday in Abuja while formally presenting the ‘2023 Election Security Threat Assessment’.

He said that 13 states comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Abia are prone to violence and the remaining 21 states of the federation are currently engulfed in one form of violence or another.

According to him, the CLEEN commissioned researchers across the six geopolitical zones to examine the security situation in relation to the elections and make recommendations for the successful conduct of the elections. Some of the recommendations are critical towards minimizing the security threats for a more credible and violence-free elections.

Peter said, “The frequent serious attacks on security agencies, installations and infrastructure in recent months are highly worrisome and condemnable. The pattern of recent attacks on security facilities and INEC infrastructure is suggestive that they are facilitated by criminals who are bent on pushing the country off the cliff.

He noted that on the positive side, the signing of the electoral Act 2022 into law that enabled INEC to introduce the of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has generated a lot of public interest especially among the youths who turned out to register in large numbers to participate in Nigeria’s forthcoming elections.