National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over the possibility of post- election violence in Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna states.
The Chairman of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu stated this at the weekend when he met with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the state police command, All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero who is also the Peoples Democratic Party’ (PDP) candidate in Kaduna state.
He noted that the Shielk Ahmed Lemu’s panel report showed that over 1000 persons lost their lives across the country with Kaduna State having the highest casualties of about 847.
Professor Odinkalu disclosed that the commission has so far received about 25 petitions alleging acts of violence during the party primaries and political campaigns which he stressed is worrisome.
According to the chairman whose message was more or less the same in all the places and people visited, “we want election to be peaceful, but if the parties and relevant authorities don’t provide an enabling environment for a peaceful election, we will press charges and demand accountability.
“Hate speeches has become intolerable and must be condemned by all, as far as we are concern in the commission, the only winner we are interested in is Nigeria, politics of do or die must be avoided.
“Our major concern states ahead of the elections are Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna states,” Professor Odinkalu stated.
In his response at the Sir Kashim House, Governor Yero assured the NHRC boss of the state readiness to do all within its powers to forstall a repeat of the 2011 post election experience in the state in the 2015 general elections.