Senate demands Police probe of Ekiti By-Election violence
The Nigerian Senate has asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to investigate the violence which occurred during last Saturday’s House of Assembly by-election in Ekiti State.
The Senate passed the resolution after members deliberated on a motion sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi.
Olujimi regretted that the election, which started peacefully, was suddenly disrupted at noon when suspected hoodlums invaded polling centres to snatch ballot boxes.
The lawmaker said during the violence that ensued, no fewer than three persons were feared dead and many others injured in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of the state.
“No election is worth the blood of any Nigerian as democracy is the government of the people and the people should be allowed to make their choices through their votes,” the senator said.
The upper chamber, in its resolution, urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the violence with a view to apprehending the perpetrators.
The Senate also urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the Electoral Offences Commission Bill.
Speaking with journalists after the session, Olujimi called for the criminalisation of certain electoral offences.
Olujimi said, “Electoral offences should carry capital punishment. Why should thugs be armed to the polling centres while the security operatives are not allowed to bear arms?”
NP/Confidence Okwuchi
