Lagos Guber: Election observers call for healing of broken hearts 

IBRAHIM QUADRI

An independent elections observer, the Nigerian Human Rights Community, NIHRCO has applauded the conduct of Saturday March 18 gubernatorial election, saying what is left now is to heal wounds and fix broken hearts fuelled by ethnic baiting and hate speeches

At the presentation of its preliminary reports in Lagos the Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NIHRCO) a coalition of 130 civil society and Community Based Organizations, CBOs said the election was not devoid of hitches but that overall, the result of the election represented the free, prior and informed consent of the people of Lagos.

The event was attended by 80 leaders of civil rights and community based groups.

What is left now is to heal wounds and fix broken hearts fuelled by ethnic baiting and hate speeches promoted by non state actors, the rights group said

The coalition commended the political leadership of the State Government saying that its commitment to a free and fair election eliminated acts of violence compared with previous elections in the state when lives were lost often due to the might of the Federal powers forceful attempt at influencing the outcome of the elections.

The group had deployed observers in many of the 13, 390 and 245 wards in Lagos.

NIHRCO deployed 680 observers across the 20 local governments and local xouncil development Areas, disclosing that the organization took a dialectical overview of the strength, weakness and opportunities and threats before, during and after the election.

It noted that total condemnation of the election process and outcome was wrong and unprofessional, adding “Nigeria is a developing country  There are historical challenges in a plural and dynamic countrt that had passed through the pain of civil war which led to the death of several people.

As a serious of the strategic position Lagos occupies in the country, “It is therefore no surprise that the NIHRCO chose Lagos as one of the focal points in the last gubernatorial election.”

It further revealed that despite the initial ethnic and religious baiting before the election, “Lagos State Goverment made concerted efforts to engage all stakeholders in the State before the Governorship election.

It stated, “We recognize the impressive moral authority demonstrated by the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his constructive engagements with communities, irrespective of religion or ethnicity before the election where he sougt fair and free election.

“This development contributed in no small measure to the peace and tranquility atmosphereyhat trailed the election in Lagos State.

“The election was the most peaceful election aice 1999 in the post military era. There was only the report of the death of one person linked to the voters buy jit yo security operatives. This is regrettable. The death represents a rematkeble decline compared with other previous elections in Lagos State.

“We call for healing of wounds and fractured hearts. We are impressed by the statement credited to the Lagos State Governor that he would meet again all stakeholders to ensure ethnic and religious harmony in Lagos State, a condition needed for prosperity to reign.

“The role of building confidence is not by the government alone. The civil society and community based organizations also have important roles to play in ensuring peace and orderliness in Lagos State.

“We call for a stop to ethnic profiling in whatever form. We call on the aggrieved to explore all leagl and peaceful means. We call on the parties to reject violence as a means of dissent expression.

“We urge stakeholders to stop stoking the embers of violence which is an ill wind that blows no one any good. We call on INEC to improve the number of polling units in Lagos. The distance between one polling unit and the other should be addressed.”