Fear of electoral violence dogs Kwara
The February general elections have precipitated tense atmosphere in Kwara State as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) go for the jugular ahead of the polls.
In Kwara State, next month’s elections have generated more fears and anxiety for the PDP, which is the opposition party in the state, to wrestle power from the APC-led government and the resolve of the latter to hold on to power.
While the scenario is a normal democratic trend, the fear among residents and stakeholders in the state is the propensity of violence and bloodletting going by the seeming desperation of political actors to rule the state.
In retrospect, the political leadership of the state has often resided in the dynasty of late Olusola Saraki, who had ruled the state for decades, anointing and blessing those who got what in the state polity.
However, the death of Olusola Saraki saw his son and former governor of the state, Bukola Saraki, stepping into the shoes of his father. Before he ended his tenure as governor in 2011, he had already positioned himself as the next kingpin of Kwara politics.
But his defection from PDP to APC in October, 2013 provoked a resurgence of many politicians and hitherto passive political actors itching to hijack the state‘s political leadership from him, using the PDP platform which they believe remains a potent and strong election winning platform despite Saraki’s defection.
Ahead of the election, the state is now deeply divided along APC - PDP lines. The division is even more glaring in the central senatorial district of Ilorin emirate, comprising of five local governments of Asa, Ilorin East, West, South and Moro, which more often than not determine the winners in Kwara elections.
Therefore, within Ilorin emirate, the APC/PDP divide is very deep-seated with both factions spoiling for war ahead of the polls. Our correspondent who went round the interior parts of Ilorin observed that APC and PDP billboards, banners and posters were competing for attention.
Already, members of the same family are divided as billboards of the two parties were seen mounted in the same compound and vicinity, raising concern and tension about the rancour and acrimony politics has generated in some parts of the state.
Of particular concern to the people of Ilorin emirate before the election is the pocket of crimes and criminalities being witnessed in parts of the city, which raised fears and apprehension of a bloody election as witnessed in the past.
The state had in the past experienced similar tensile situations during the tenure of late former governors Adamu Attah and Mohammad Lawal in 1983 and 2003 respectively.
Though both governors were supported by the late Saraki to get to the Kwara Government House, they eventually fell apart with their godfather owing to irreconcilable differences.
Thus, their bid to secure second term ticket was vehemently opposed by the late Saraki then, while the state was engulfed in huge political crisis, which nearly snow-balled into war
Many analysts however warn that if the trend of politically motivated fracas and the seeming proliferation of political thugs were not stalled, the state may witness yet another “Salake” as the crisis during Attah’s era was dubbed.
Many stakeholders are appalled with the way able-bodied youths have metamorphosed to hoodlums who accost people during functions to demand for “settlement,” while those who refuse to give handouts are assaulted.
This development, according to stakeholders, has therefore made it mandatory for politicians to call their supporters to order and warn them against fomenting trouble before, during and after the elections.
A frontline analyst in Ilorin, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity for fear of being misconstrued as a loyalist of one party, said though the struggle for power is legitimate, the desperation by politicians is a matter of concern.
“Everybody is struggling to capture power, which is legitimate, anyway. So, you .cannot tell any party not to struggle. But we all know the facts on ground. Some people are operating in the air; some people are operating on the ground... It is difficult to say this one will win, this one will not win,” he said.
With the emergence of governorship candidates of PDP and APC represented by Senator Simeon Sule Ajibola and incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed respectively, the contest is expected to be that of ideas and not unnecessary mudslinging that could spark political violence.
Worried by the tension associated with the forthcoming elections in the state, stakeholders, especially the Ilorin Emirate, have been preaching the gospel of peace at every forum aimed at sensitising politicians and their supporters on the imperative of peaceful conduct during the election.
The Ilorin Emirate Descendants’ Progressives Union (IEDPU) which is the apex sociocultural organisation of Ilorin Emirate indigenes had appealed to political players “to tread with caution, maturity and fear of Allah to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevail before, during and after the 2015 elections.”
Emir of Ilorin and chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, urged politicians not to allow politics to cause chaos and confusion in the emirate and the state in general.
“Ilorin and Kwara State is a centre of peace and harmony. We should do everything possible to preserve the peace that we are predominantly known for”, the emir advised during the IEDPU annual general conference. He also reiterated the call during the celebration of Maulud Nabiyy held on Friday.
Speaking at the conference, national president of the union, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi, called on politicians in the emirate and the state in general to consider “the tender moments already created by recurring spate of security breaches and violence in Ilorin, its environs and indeed in the country as a whole.”
Adi said: “Indeed, it is more honourable and godly to accept defeat without recourse to violence. After all, there will always be another time in future and future is said to be for those who are steadfast and truthful.
“Our prayer therefore is that politics and politicking, our politicians in different camps should be as separate as fingers of the same hand but should work together as one hand in matters essential to our mutual progress and development in the emirate, state and the country at large.
“At this point, we wish to join all Nigerians and international the community in calling on INEC to always maintain a level playing ground for all political parties during elections,” Adi added.
As the election approaches, analysts say that security agencies in the state have a greater responsibility to be nonpartisan and effectively play their roles to nip violence in the bud during the election.
Though the police recently met aspirants before the conduct of party primaries where they intimated them about the necessity of eschewing violence, some are of the view that another meeting of candidates of political parties would be a welcome development as it would go a long way in ensuring violence free elections in the state.
Many hope that the fears generated by the forthcoming elections in the state would vanish if candidates and political parties walk the talk to avoid violence among their supporters before, during and after the polls.