Govs planned to withhold salaries, sack workers if they didn’t win election – EU

This was disclosed in the ‘European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2023 Final Report’, released penultimate Tuesday.

“EU EOM observers also received credible reports of pressure on civil servants by governors, for example through termination of work contracts as an intimidation measure or withholding salaries as a guarantee for delivered results in the campaign,” the report noted.

The EUEOM, however, did not mention the governors that intimidated and coerced civil servants to do their bidding. It stressed there was increased voting buying during the 2023 elections compared to past elections.

“Misuse of state resources was evident, primarily through the promotion of social protection and relief programmes, which significantly intensified shortly before the polls,” the damning report added.

It further noted, “Overall, stakeholders noted an increase in intimidation and vote-buying strategies compared to previous elections suggesting this was a deliberate move to subvert the tightened up electoral process after the introduction of new technology.”

It drew attention to the 2022 Electoral Act that prohibits “the use of state apparatus to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.”

Peoplesmind