‘Why we’re relocating ahead of elections’

In Onitsha, Anambra State, like in some other states of the country, the fear of post-election violence is real in the minds of many. Indigenes, like other Easterners scattered in the North, are returning home in droves. At parks in Onitsha, drivers confirmed the development and a driver with God’s Time Motors, Mr. Mike Ibekwe […]

In Onitsha, Anambra State, like in some other states of the country, the fear of post-election violence is real in the minds of many. Indigenes, like other Easterners scattered in the North, are returning home in droves. At parks in Onitsha, drivers confirmed the development and a driver with God’s Time Motors, Mr. Mike Ibekwe who plies the Onitsha-Awka route to Jos, told Weekly Trust that there is panic-relocation mostly from Jos now. Many people even charter trucks to convey their property home, as well, out of fear of possible widespread violence after the elections.
But the Sarkin Hausawa and Senior Assistant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Garba Haruna said the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, takes matters of security seriously, adding that they have no cause to panic. He further disclosed that they are prepared to participate in the election in Anambra State because almost all of them registered to vote in the state.
Residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, especially non-indigenes, are leaving the city due to fear that the elections may be marred by violence coupled with the increasing threat by Boko Haram angling to take over the city. Some residents who were about leaving the town told Weekly Trust that the move became necessary because they don’t want to be caught up in any violence which may arise as a result of the elections. “I’m travelling to the East en route Abuja, because you can never tell,” said Moses James, spotted at the Borno Express Terminus.
Another Maiduguri resident, Oladele Mansur, who is working with a communication company in the city, said he had already applied for his annual leave and will be travelling before the elections. “I’m not planning to come back until after the elections, because we don’t know what will happen,” he added.
At Tashan Kano and Borno Express motor parks, steady movement of people out of the city was observed. Weekly Trust gathered that many people, especially those from Eastern Nigeria who travelled for the Christmas and New Year festivities are yet to return because of uncertainty, again over the approaching elections. Emeka John, a resident of Pompomari area said his family has travelled since December. “I’m planning to join them and will  not return till the elections are done.”
Alhaji Baba, an official of the NURTW described the exodus of people as “unprecedented.” He said people are travelling en masse on a daily basis and for most of them, it’s because of the elections and fear of Boko Haram. But Governor Kashim Shettima called on the people to persevere and not flee.
An Abuja resident in Jikwoyi, Mr. Ifeanyi Johnpaul said the fear of post-election violence among Nigerians is real, adding that he has already relocated his family to the East. “I’m the only one staying back here now because of my work. Although, Abuja is a bit safe, no-one can be sure. My wife and children will remain in the village until after the elections and there is no visible sign of threat before they come back,” he added.
Then passengers who spoke to Weekly Trust in some motor parks in Kogi State said they are travelling out on account of personal issues or on business trips, not out of fear of post-elections violence. Joshua Eze, travelling from Lokoja to Onitsha, said he was going to buy goods and would return to continue his business. He added that he registered in Lokoja for the elections and would stay back to vote. Another passenger, Hadiza Abdullahi, who was travelling to Ilorin at cemetery motor park Lokoja said she was visiting her family to attend to some issues. Secretary, NURTW, European Cemetery park branch Lokoja, Suleiman Saba, said the park has not experienced such moves at the moment, “but we don’t know what will happen a few days to election.”
Also, in Osun State, there are no signs of mass exodus of people to other locations because of the 2015 polls. At the main motor park in Osogbo, passengers who routinely travel to Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Ilorin, boarded vehicles but there was no indication of mass movement of people.
Special Assistant to Osun State governor on Ethnic Matters, Malam Muhammed Abdul-Basir told Weekly Trust that all Hausa people living in Osun State were duly registered by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and would vote in the state. Also, the Sarkin Hausawan Osun State, Alhaji Lawal Gonima, said there is no single Hausa man or woman travelling out because of the forthcoming elections, saying his people are ready to vote when the election comes.
In Lagos, both intercity bus drivers, as well as officials of the NURTW, Lagos state chapter, shot down the possibility of mass exodus of people for fear of post-elections violence. Weekly Trust visited major motor parks and discovered that passengers travelling out or coming in, were not embarking on such trips for fear of violence.
Back in the East, Enugu State, specifically at the New Artisan Market and motor-park located in Enugu North Local Government Area, it was observed that some household effects, such as ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags, mattresses and other items were stacked high near a small Toyota bus. An official of the park, Mr. Celestine Okoye, said the bus will be travelling to the northern part of the country, as he confirmed the movement of   some northerners from Enugu. “Some have been travelling back since a week ago. Even those who can’t afford the fare for the entire family relocating at once had earlier sent their children home. There are Easterners relocating from the northern part of the country to Enugu,” he said.
But President of Arewa Youth Association, Enugu State Chapter, Alhaji Danladi Abubakar noted that the travellers had nothing to do with fear of post-election crisis. According to him, the New Artisan Livestock Market is both a market and home for most of the traders there, because they live inside the market with their families.
At Utako Motor Park in Abuja, both bus drivers and union officials say nothing unusual has been noticed about people’s movement out of Abuja. Hussaini, Assistant Secretary, Kano Line, explained that there’s even a shortage of travellers.
At Nyanya Motor Park, Ezekiel Ebere, who frequents the Ilorin, Kaduna and Kano routes also says the end of the festive season has affected the parks. “But with the fear of the elections very real, we’re expecting more passengers by next week, because a lot of people are thinking of travelling with their families.  A lot of people would be travelling because of this fear,” he said.
Abdullahi Haruna, a clerk with the NURTW, Nyanya Motor Park, concurs that they are expecting a rush a week to the elections. “But for now, there’s actually no difference from what we’re used to,” he added.
At Telex Transport, a private transport company at Nyanya, where buses head for destinations such as Onitsha, Abba, Enugu and Lagos, Paulinus Ugochukwu, the Area Manager, revealed that he has noticed that some of the passengers come with a lot of personal belongings, “Which means some people are moving away.”  
Schools, too, are caught up in the apprehension regarding the possibility of post-elections violence. Investigation indicates that schools, especially private ones in some parts of the country are thinking of closing as a proactive measure against whatever may be the unexpected outcome of the polls. Rakiya Aminu, whose only daughter is a student in a popular private university in Benin, Edo State, says while she’s praying for a successful election, she has resolved to fly to Benin, pick her daughter and fly back to Abuja, then home to Kaduna. “The comments by notorious militants recently aren’t particularly encouraging, you know,” she told Weekly Trust.
The move to close schools is linked to fears being expressed by parents over the safety of their wards in the event of violence after elections. Some media reports indicate that some private schools, especially the mission institutions, have sent memos to parents to pick their children in boarding schools between February 5 and 12, citing their inability to guarantee the safety of their students during and after the elections.
But proprietress of Glisten Academy, Jabi, Prisca Godwill said they have not been given any instruction in this regard, adding that the school is still running normal classes pending when directives are issued. President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, FCT chapter, Mrs. Samira Jibir, in a media publication stressed that her association will not shut down schools for the elections until there was a directive to that effect from the Federal Ministry of Education.
The Director of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Idayat Hassan said Nigeria is indeed in a sorry situation, especially at the moment, with the most keenly contested elections since the return to democracy in 1999. She said: “This election is not just about the political class, but the kind of citizens’ participation we are witnessing is unprecedented. However, the fear of post-election violence has led to mass exodus of people back to their homes or out of the country.” But she added: “Nigeria belongs to all of us and in the next 14 days, we have to take this bold leap. We cannot afford a repeat of the 2011 post-election violence.”
“I’m not moving an inch,” Ibrahim Gazama told Weekly Trust. The Abuja resident emphasized further that, “Nigerians simply love panic. Who says where you are going to is safer than where you are now?”