Ejiofor: Tinubu’s Condemnation of Political Violence Must Not End in Empty Promises
“Says condemnation of political thuggery must translate into arrests, prosecution of perpetrators”
An Anambra-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has challenged Nigeria’s security agencies to move beyond official statements and take decisive action against perpetrators of political violence, following the Presidency’s condemnation of the growing incidents of political intimidation and thuggery across the country.
Ejiofor, who expressed concern over the escalating violence allegedly perpetrated by supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against political opponents in different states, said Nigerians were now waiting to see whether the presidential intervention would result in concrete law enforcement measures or end as another exercise in official rhetoric.
Ejiofor who holds traditional title of Dunu-Ezeugosinachi,in his weekend reflection titled “Now That the Presidency and Leaders of the Ruling (APC) Party Have Condemned Political Violence, Will the Security Agencies Now Act or Will This, Too, End as Another Exercise in Official Rhetorics?”, on Saturday described the Presidency’s statement as timely and reassuring, expressing hope that it would mark a turning point in the country’s response to political violence.
He, however, warned that the significance of the presidential condemnation would depend largely on the willingness of security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for attacks, intimidation and other acts of political violence, irrespective of their political affiliations.
According to him, the escalating incidents of political thuggery and intimidation had reached an alarming level, creating an atmosphere of fear even among citizens who had no interest in partisan politics.
He observed that ordinary Nigerians could hardly move freely in some areas without apprehension, particularly when they were perceived as not identifying with violent political elements who allegedly displayed their party affiliations openly while unleashing mayhem on perceived opponents.
Ejiofor expressed concern that some of the perpetrators appeared confident that they enjoyed the protection of powerful political interests and could escape the consequences of their actions.
He said the Presidency’s strong condemnation should serve as a clear warning to those allegedly recruited, induced or sponsored to unleash violence in the name of supporting the ruling party, stressing that political thuggery was neither a privilege of any political party nor a legitimate instrument of electoral competition.
He maintained that those involved in political violence must understand that the days of impunity should be over, adding that the presidential intervention had placed an unmistakable responsibility on law enforcement agencies to demonstrate their commitment to protecting citizens and upholding the law.
“The more consequential implication of this presidential intervention is that the responsibility for identifying, apprehending and prosecuting these marauders now rests squarely and unmistakably with the law enforcement agencies. Nigerians will, quite rightly, hold them accountable for what happens hereafter,” he stated.
The human rights advocate further cautioned against the familiar practice of security agencies issuing statements announcing investigations into politically motivated attacks while alleged perpetrators continued to move freely, emboldened by what he described as perceived political protection.
He insisted that the era of cosmetic investigations and official assurances without corresponding arrests and prosecutions must give way to decisive and demonstrable law enforcement.
According to him, the Presidency has made its position known, and the security agencies must now translate the assurances into concrete action that will restore public confidence and reassure Nigerians that nobody is above the law.
Ejiofor also warned that the presidential condemnation of political violence must not become another well-articulated declaration that eventually fails at the point of implementation because of selective enforcement.
Using a proverbial illustration, he said: “The proverbial hunter cannot claim to be pursuing an animal while deliberately avoiding its footprints.”
He argued that the law must be applied equally without regard to political affiliation or the influence of individuals occupying positions of political authority.
Ejiofor stressed that anyone found attacking, intimidating or assaulting a political opponent must be identified and dealt with in accordance with the law, regardless of the political party to which the individual belongs or the interests the person may be serving.
He further warned that no political ambition was worth the loss of innocent lives, just as no electoral victory could justify or legitimise violence against citizens.
Calling for a return to civility in the country’s political space, the legal practitioner urged political actors and their supporters to conduct their activities without bitterness, intimidation or unnecessary rancour.
He said those seeking public office must recognise that political opponents were not enemies of the state, insisting that democracy should not be reduced to a battlefield where the activities of political thugs determine the choices available to the electorate.
Ejiofor emphasised that the ultimate purpose of democratic competition was to allow citizens to freely choose their leaders without fear, coercion or intimidation.
He therefore called on political parties, their supporters and security agencies to respect the democratic process and ensure that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, remained the determining factor in electoral outcomes.
“At the end of the day, it is the will of the people, freely expressed, that must prevail,” he declared.
