The need for security
Given the contentious history of electioneering in Nigeria, it surprises me that not a few people complained about the kind of security that was deployed to Osun, and something happened that confirmed the need for security – I left Ife when I heard, from social media, that there was an incident of ballot box snatching in Gbongan. It was a thirty minute drive, but we got there, myself and Bayo Omoboriowo, the photographer who was rolling with me.
Gbongan was quiet!
The first few polling units we got to in town were done and dusted, people had returned to their daily lives. However, in a quiet little corner, we saw a crowd and realised that this polling unit was not done, so we stopped there. The people were waiting for the electoral officers to finish counting, and they were waiting rather patiently. Their only concern being that time was far spent. Then, something happened. There was a heated exchange of words between the APC and PDP agents on the ground, then the APC man’s hand connected with the PDP man’s face, and for a brief moment, it appeared that all hell was about to break loose. But something happened very quickly. Soldiers down the road heard the commotion and deployed very quickly. In less than five minutes, they had pushed the crowd back, and restored order. Counting continued, and the APC won that polling unit.
A little bit of historical background here, and we cannot stress often enough that this particular area has a history of violent elections. The infamous “Operation Wetee” in the 1964 elections, which was one of the reasons that ultimately led to the end of Nigeria’s First Republic, started from around the area that has become Osun state. INEC had a list of areas with a history of violence, so I was not surprised that Ife for example, was practically sealed off by soldiers the day before the vote. I was there when they began turning travellers back, except if you were willing to go into town on foot, and given the history, this precaution was not unwarranted.
Again, it can’t be stressed often enough that the security men deployed in Osun, many they may have been, were professional, and behaved with courtesy. In not one polling unit, except in the governor’s polling unit understandably, did I see soldiers within the PU. They always some way away, near enough to keep an eye on proceedings, but far enough so as not to influence the exercise. By the time the vote was over, and we were back in Osogbo, most of the soldiers in town had already started packing up and preparing to return to their normal areas of deployment. If there was any sinister plan as was alleged by various party supporters on social media, what would have happened is that the soldiers would have moved to tighten their grip as soon as the vote was over. As it were, they moved out of most areas after the vote. My observation of the military in this election left a very positive impression, despite all the hysteria that happened on social media the night before…
this is an article bimming with sentiments against the APC. Many party leaders were arrested and taken to unknown location on the morning of election. All faults laid at the feet of the APC. From this article ‘the good (inec and fg), the bad ( god knows who) and the ugly (apc and its supporters ). this is sentiments salted with few hurriedly verified facts.
Good job!But i’ll excuse you for your omission. excuse you because of your obvious inability to touch every part of the state.Even if most APC supporters cried wolf,DSS themselves have confirmed the arrest of Lai Momammed and two of his companion.Yes,the presence of DSS is not bad in itself but their modus Oprandi.Meanwhile,do u think mobile police can’t do what soldiers are called out to do?i think Nigeria Police should be encourage to build her capacity for electoral service.This is far better than inviting the military to participate in electoral process.
Good job!But i’ll excuse you for your omission.excuse you because of your obvious inability to touch every part of the state.Even if most APC supporters cried wolf,DSS themselves have confirmed the arrest of Lai Mommamed and two of his companion.Yes,the presence of DSS is not bad in itself but their modus Oprandi
YNaija © 2014
Good job!But i’ll excuse you for your omission.excuse you because of your obvious inability to touch every part of the state.Even if most APC supporters cried wolf,DSS themselves have confirmed the arrest of Lai Mommamed and two of his companion.
Youmoderation.
SAMMYAugust 14, 2014 12:22 amReply
Good job!But i’ll excuse you for your omission.excuse you because of your obvious inability to touch every part of the state.Even if most APC supporters cried wolf,DSS themselves have confirmed the arrest of
U’re just one Party reporter
I think you dwelled too long on APC hysteria and you could have gone ahead to fact check from Lai Mohammed, commissioners and Isiaka Adeleke on their experiences on the eve of the elections. Your opinion of using masked men in an election did not come in also. I know APC might have overblown it but it’s fact that their members were harassed and arrested. That’s not ideal in am election. Whatever you hear today is of how PDP has procured elections in the past.
What an interesting read. This read more like an interesting travel memoir than a political report. Like you have rightly noted, credible elctions will deepen democracy and Adamawa’s election will serve as another index given the part of the country it’s located. The unsustainable security presence is another source of concern as the general election approaches. Chxta is an excellent writer when he finds the time to do so, but as a full-time journalist now, I think we’ll enjoy the best of him. nice work.
Calm and concise….devoid of sentiment and sensationalism….I hope other journalists take a cue.
This was not a long read at all or maybe it’s cos @Chxta is such a good writer, he draws you in with very line. I appreciate unbiased reports such as this. On crying wolf, I have been saying this about APC and its supporters mainly on social media and egged on by the party leadership especially spokesperson Alh. Lai Mohammed. They need to quit with the unnecessary hysteria and crying wolf all the time! They need to realise that the electorate are finding their voice and becoming more independent. Election deciders are gradually becoming less about the party and more about the candidate. Field credible candidates with grassroots support and you are more or less likely to coast to victory. This noise-making by APC and its supporters, I have noticed, is gradually beginning to get on the nerves of the non-partisan folks and the undecided electorate. The party is gradually beginning to lose the groundswell of support it enjoyed when it was in the pre-merger stages. Kudos to President Jonathan and INEC for a free and fair election. Now we know that APC lost in Ekiti not because of “intimidation” by security officers but because of the candidate. How does intimidation by security personnel work when you are casting your vote? Do they put a gun to your head when you are thumb-printing? Nice one @Chxta, I enjoyed this piece thoroughly. First time in yonks I am commenting on a Ynaija or any political post online.
is dat rite.