Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has warned that the much anticipated general election in 2023 might not hold due to the rising security challenges in the country. ayokinews.com reports
Jega made this known on Thursday, while speaking at the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, as part of the 4th Abiola Ajimobi annual roundtable and the former governor of Oyo State’s 72nd posthumous birthday celebrations in Ibadan.
According to Jega, security is a paramount issue when it comes to the conduct of elections which results are acceptable to all parties involved.
He further warned that the rising security challenges in the country poses a great threat to the coming 2023 general elections and that it must be properly addressed by the state actors.
In his words: “Unless elections are conducted in an environment that is peaceful and secure, its integrity and even the legitimacy of the outcome of that election will be questioned.”
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“Security challenges undermine electoral integrity. It constrains or disrupts preparations and conduct of elections and it leads to partial or totally illegitimate electoral outcomes.”
“As we look forward to the 2023 general elections, there is increasing apprehension that the pervasive insecurity situation in the country may present a formidable obstacle if not an obstruction to that election.”
“If not appropriately and effectively mitigated, security challenges would pose the most serious danger to the integrity of the election process if it evens allows the election to be conducted.”
