MC Oluomo, Gov Yahaya Bello To Face Human Rights Commission Over Threats Against Igbo, Others

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has disclosed plans to summon the Lagos State Parks Management Committee Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, over the alleged threat he issued against Igbo.

CityNews recalls that in a viral video, MC Oluomo was captured threatening Igbo people living in Lagos State not to come out during last Saturday’s election if they are unwilling to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although he later denied the threats, the governorship election was marred by intimidation and violence by hoodlums across Lagos State.

Also, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was captured on video where he appeared to have used some inciting words against his political opponents in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has reportedly denied the utterances of the governor.

Addressing newsmen on the preliminary report of the National Human Rights Commission election observers on the March 18 Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on Sunday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) also hinted that Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, will also be invited to appear before an investigative panel of the Commission over alleged violent and inciting statements.

The NHRC boss said he (Bello) will be invited to explain his statements.

Ojukwu said the Commission during the elections process monitored among others, issues relating to the conduct of law enforcement and security personnel, hate speech, election related Sexual and Gender based violence (SGBV) and vote buying.

The NHRC boss said the hitches and irregularities recorded in the Presidential election and threats of violence prior to the elections are some factors responsible for the voter apathy recorded during the Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

He said: “The overall report from our monitors showed that INEC officials and materials arrived relatively early across the country. Our field monitors reported that 7% of polling officials arrived between 6:00 am and 7:00 am , while 40% of the officials arrived between 7:00 am and 8:00 am.

“However, 4% of INEC officials came after 10:00 am, leading to delays in some polling units. Additionally, our monitors reported that voting materials arrived on time in most polling units, with 37% arriving between 7:00 am and 8:00 am and 40% arriving between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. 13% of materials arrived between 9:00am and 10:00 am while 5% arrived after 10:00 am.”

NHRC also charged security agencies to investigate to investigate the attack on the ARISE News crew at Elegushi Palace as well as other incidents of violence and bring perpetrators to book.

The commission condemned the killing of thugs in Lagos, Katsina and Benue states, Labour Party agents in Lagos, adding that elections are not war and no life should be lost in the process of elections.

He said it was observed that the role of law enforcement in maintaining order during the elections was generally positive and commendable, but however, noted that, there were some incidents of extra-judicial killings, crowd control, and collusion with political parties.