Compensate Victims Of Electoral Violence, Group Tells Federal Govt

A civil society group, Free Nigeria Movement (FNM) has asked the federal government to compensate all victims of the 2023 general election violence.

According to the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), about 109 persons were killed in political violence between January and March 10, 2023.

The convener of the group, Dr Moses Paul, who addressed journalists in Abuja yesterday, renewed the call for the arrest and prosecution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, over the outcome of the election, widely condemned for lacking credibility.

Among other demands, the group also called for the cancellation of the presidential election of 25th February 2023 and the establishment of a truth and reconciliation committee in Lagos and other flashpoints of violence.

He said, “The Nigerian youth represents the most abused demographic in the unlawful conduct of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu. He toiled with your trust, faith and reliance on the credibility of the electoral process. He made you see a ray of hope at the end of a dark tunnel though he knew he was going to plug it as soon as elections were over.

“We are not unaware of the actions of conscienceless individuals hellbent on imposing a regime of distrust and rancour on Nigerians and call on them to desist forthwith. We cannot continue to water the lawns of emotional cannibals who rise to power on the blood of ordinary Nigerians.

“The recent comments by Prof. Wole Soyinka is most unfortunate and regrettable. While we do not frown at his remarks because of any politicians, political parties or movements referenced, we do so because of his emotionless detour from the real issues of the election to pursue what appears as a selective witch-hunt.

“Our country has been on a perilous journey since then. We call on all Nigerians including the judiciary to rise up and save Nigeria,” he added.