Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has warned individuals planning to rig elections to be mindful of the consequences, insisting that Nigerians have the right to defend their votes and electoral rights.
Effiong said those who engage in thuggery or attempt to disrupt the electoral process should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
“Those planning to rig should be mindful of what may befall them.
“Nigerians have the right to defend their votes and electoral rights,” he said.
The lawyer made the remarks in a post on X on Monday while reacting to controversies surrounding the expression, “rig and die.”
He clarified that the expression did not mean asking people to vote for a particular candidate or die, but was a warning against electoral manipulation and violence.
Effiong also questioned the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to addressing electoral violence, accusing the commission of failing to sanction political parties, institutions or individuals involved in pre-election violence.
He wondered why INEC would threaten sanctions against those who engage in violence during elections when, according to him, the commission had not demonstrated similar commitment to tackling violence before elections.
The lawyer further questioned the commission’s response to political violence during the 2023 general elections, asking how many individuals or political parties had been sanctioned over such incidents.
He cited the disruption of political rallies and the reported violent attack on activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, as examples of incidents he claimed had not attracted adequate action from the electoral umpire.
Effiong maintained that Nigerians were entitled to protect their votes and defend their electoral rights, warning those contemplating election rigging to consider the possible consequences.
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