The hashtag #INECUnderAttack has highlighted growing concerns surrounding the security and credibility of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Over the past several years, INEC has witnessed a significant rise in violent attacks on its offices and facilities, a troubling trend that is perceived as a direct threat to the country’s democratic process. This comprehensive article delves into the incidents, causes, implications, and potential solutions to these attacks, while also exploring the broader context of Nigeria’s electoral system and political stability.
Overview of INEC’s Role in Nigeria’s Democracy
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was established in 1998 with the mandate to oversee Nigeria’s elections, ensuring that they are free, fair, and credible. It is responsible for voter registration, organizing and conducting elections, and ensuring that the results reflect the will of the people. INEC has played a central role in all of Nigeria’s elections since the return to democratic rule in 1999, and its performance has had a significant impact on the country’s political stability.
However, the credibility of INEC has frequently come under fire, with accusations of rigging, logistical failures, and partisanship in elections. These challenges have been compounded by direct physical attacks on its offices, staff, and materials. These attacks have escalated in recent years, with many seeing them as a deliberate attempt to undermine democracy and prevent the proper functioning of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The Surge of Attacks on INEC Facilities
From 2019 to 2024, INEC documented over 50 incidents of attacks on its offices across 15 states in Nigeria. These attacks vary in nature, including arson, vandalism, and theft of sensitive electoral materials such as voter registration cards and ballot boxes. States like Imo, Osun, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Ebonyi have been particularly affected. The reasons behind these attacks are multifaceted, involving a complex mix of political, social, and economic factors.
Nature and Distribution of Attacks
INEC offices have been targeted through various means, including arson (deliberate setting of fires), vandalism (destruction of property), and the theft of valuable election materials. In some cases, election-related violence or general insecurity in certain regions has spilled over into attacks on INEC offices. Notably, attacks have been concentrated in the southeastern and southwestern regions of the country, areas with significant political volatility and conflict during election seasons.
For instance, in the southeastern state of Imo, INEC documented 11 attacks between 2019 and 2022. Other states like Osun and Enugu have also seen multiple incidents. The attackers are often unidentified, although INEC has attributed some attacks to political thuggery, while others are believed to be perpetrated by insurgent groups or even criminal elements seeking to disrupt the democratic process.
Impact of the #EndSARS Protests
A significant spike in attacks occurred during the #EndSARS protests in 2020. Initially a movement against police brutality, #EndSARS morphed into a wider protest against government inefficiency and corruption. During this period, many government institutions, including INEC offices, were targeted by frustrated and disenfranchised citizens. This resulted in 18 attacks on INEC facilities, primarily involving vandalism and the destruction of election-related materials.
While the protests were not specifically aimed at INEC, the damage caused to the commission’s offices during this period set back preparations for upcoming elections and strained the commission’s resources.
Causes of the Attacks
The reasons behind the sustained assault on INEC facilities are varied and complex, tied to Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. Several key factors contribute to the increase in attacks:
Political Thuggery and Electoral Violence
A major factor behind these attacks is the widespread use of political thuggery in Nigeria. Political thuggery refers to the use of violence or intimidation by political actors to gain an advantage during elections. This practice has a long history in Nigerian politics, where politicians often employ thugs to intimidate opponents, disrupt voting processes, or manipulate electoral outcomes. Attacking INEC offices is one way to disrupt the election process, delay the distribution of materials, or steal critical voter information.
INEC has documented that six of the attacks on its offices were directly related to political thuggery during elections. These incidents usually occur during election seasons, where tensions run high, and political actors fear losing their grip on power. Destroying INEC offices in certain regions can delay elections, give politicians more time to strategize, or force INEC to conduct elections in less secure or credible conditions.
Insurgency and Regional Insecurity
Another critical factor is the broader insecurity plaguing Nigeria, particularly in regions affected by insurgency, banditry, and separatist movements. In the northeast, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operate, INEC offices have occasionally come under attack by insurgents. Similarly, in the southeastern states, some groups have threatened and, in some cases, attacked government institutions, including INEC.
While insurgents may not always have direct electoral motivations, their attacks on government facilities disrupt the election process, create chaos, and weaken the state’s authority. The burning of INEC offices in these regions adds to the general sense of insecurity, making it difficult for the commission to organize elections under peaceful conditions.
Criminality and Opportunistic Violence
In addition to politically motivated violence, some of the attacks on INEC offices are carried out by criminals or opportunistic actors seeking to take advantage of weak security. The destruction or theft of election materials, particularly voter cards, could be used for identity theft, black-market sales, or other forms of electoral fraud. The nature of these attacks suggests a combination of criminal and politically motivated intent.
Implications for Nigeria’s Democracy
The continued attacks on INEC facilities have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy. With the next general election scheduled for 2024, the rise in violence against INEC raises serious concerns about the safety of election materials, the integrity of the election process, and public confidence in the outcome. If left unchecked, these attacks could severely undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and set back its democratic progress.
Eroding Public Confidence
One of the most significant impacts of these attacks is the erosion of public confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections. Nigerians already have a deep-seated distrust of the electoral process due to previous incidents of rigging, voter intimidation, and electoral fraud. The destruction of INEC offices, particularly in volatile regions, further exacerbates these concerns, making citizens doubt whether their votes will be counted or if the elections will proceed smoothly.
This erosion of trust can lead to voter apathy, where citizens choose not to participate in elections because they believe the outcomes are predetermined or that their votes will not make a difference. A decline in voter turnout weakens the legitimacy of elected officials and can contribute to a cycle of political instability.
Delays in Election Preparation
The attacks have also caused significant delays in INEC’s ability to prepare for elections. Destroyed offices, lost materials, and the need to replace stolen voter cards or electoral devices all slow down the commission’s operations. This can lead to postponements or rushed elections, both of which can undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
For example, after a wave of attacks in late 2022, INEC had to work under intense pressure to rebuild offices, replace lost voter registration cards, and secure sensitive election materials. In some cases, the commission was forced to relocate its operations to more secure areas, further complicating logistics and raising concerns about the inclusiveness of elections.
Threats to Electoral Staff and Security
Another consequence of these attacks is the physical threat posed to INEC staff. Electoral officers, especially those stationed in areas prone to violence, face significant risks as they attempt to carry out their duties. The safety of these workers is crucial for the successful organization of elections, but repeated attacks have made it difficult to recruit and retain staff willing to work in such conditions.
In response, INEC has called on security agencies to provide better protection for its offices and staff. However, given the general state of insecurity in many parts of the country, providing adequate protection remains a challenge.
Government and INEC Responses
In the face of these growing threats, INEC has implemented several measures to secure its facilities and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. However, the government’s response to the attacks has been criticized as insufficient, with many calling for more proactive measures to address the root causes of the violence.
Strengthening Security Measures
INEC has increased its collaboration with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, to provide better protection for its offices, materials, and staff. In some high-risk areas, INEC has sought to reinforce its buildings, install surveillance systems, and restrict access to sensitive materials. However, these measures can only go so far in the absence of a broader strategy to tackle the underlying causes of violence.
In conclusion, the rise of attacks on INEC facilities, as highlighted by the hashtag #INECUnderAttack, is a critical challenge for Nigeria’s democracy. These attacks undermine the electoral process, erode public trust, and threaten the safety of electoral staff. The consequences of this violence are far-reaching, with the potential to destabilize Nigeria’s political landscape and weaken its democratic institutions.
Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening security, addressing the root causes of political thuggery, and rebuilding public trust in the electoral system. Only through concerted efforts by INEC, the government, and civil society can Nigeria hope to secure its elections and preserve its democratic gains.
