The National Peace Committee (NPC) has presented its report on the 2023 general elections in Abuja.
The report unveiled on Friday noted that the 2023 elections were marked by a surge in youth interest and citizens’ engagement, but also faced contentious and disputed atmospheres, including violence and lack of compliance with guidelines.
The NPC, chaired by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, commended the new electoral framework, the Electoral Act 2022, but expressed concerns over the divisive campaign and violence recorded during the elections.
The report specifically mentioned the emergence of a third force led by Peter Obi’s Labour Party and the clashes between supporters of various political parties.
“A third force emerged, led by Mr. Peter Obi’s decision to join the Labour Party after decamping from PDP and for the first time in Nigeria’s fourth republic, three main parties (the All-Progressives Congress – APC, the People’s Democratic Party – PDP, and the Labour Party – LP) fought a hard, but divisive, campaign.
“Incidences of violence were recorded as indicators of what could possibly come. For example, on October 16, 2022, there was a clash between APC and PDP supporters in Zamfara state. One person was killed, and 18 others were injured. This was followed by another attack on October 17 by thugs during a PDP rally in Kaduna state.
“Again, a mob beat up a Labour Party (LP) supporter in Lagos state, Southwest Nigeria on 2nd October. The incident, which took place in Oshodi Local Government Area (LGA), was the latest in a series of targeted attacks against supporters of candidates in opposition strongholds. The Southeast states of Enugu, Anambra, and Abia were faced with an increase in violence involving the Eastern Security Network (IPOB’s armed wing), unknown gunmen, as well as federal and state security forces. There were multiple attacks against prominent politicians in Anambra state alone, including Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives Party, and the husband of late Dora Akunyili, Dr. Chike Akunyili. Frequent militia attacks have been reported across the Northwest, while the main security concerns in the North Central region, including the FCT were linked to elevated levels of banditry, militias, and kidnapping. ISWAP and Boko Haram’s activities in the Northeast were a cause for concern as insurgents waged attacks against government forces and set up checkpoints. Other southern parts remained susceptible to inter-communal clashes, mob violence, and general unrest, including attacks against INEC facilities,” the NPC said.
Abubakar said there is need for strategies to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines and laws, stating that the NPC would work with security agencies to prosecute offenders. He also noted that the committee would adopt new tactics to address the evolving challenges in the political landscape.
The NPC’s report identified key challenges, including lack of compliance, trust deficit, limited political awareness, technological challenges, poverty, and dispossession. The committee recommended a whole society approach and tasked the government to address social-economic conditions and INEC to comply with guidelines.
Present at the Secretariat of the NPC where the report was presented were the Chairman of the NPC and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; the Convener of the NPC and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Revd (Dr) Matthew Hassan Kukah; members of the NPC which included the Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; former Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff respectively, Lt. Gen. Martin Luther Agwai; immediate past Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; amongst others.
