Ahead of the 2023 election, Federal Government has restated its commitment to prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence in Nigeria.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubarka Malami gave the assurance at the opening of two-day policy dialogue in Abuja, themed: “Media, Civil Society and violence-free Election in Nigeria.”
The dialogue which commemorated the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crime against journalists is aimed at ending electoral violence and crimes.
The AGF said, “President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is committed to bringing to an end these undemocratic and uncultured activities through the administration of legally justifiable approaches on the perpetrators in order to serve as deterrence to others
Malami said the government is also committed to end attacks on journalists, staff of Independent electoral commission, INEC,and personnel of security agencies during the forthcoming general elections.
The AGF who noted the prevailing increase in electoral violence in Nigeria added that the federal government has the capacity and unwavering commitment to end impunity.
“The prevalence of election related violence and other malpractices, including physical attacks on (Independent National Electoral Commission) INEC staff and facilities, attacks on security personnel on election duty, misuse of security operatives by politicians, and attacks on political opponents, ”must be brought to an end, he said.
Malami said the role of journalists as the campaign gathers momentum cannot, therefore, be overemphasized and added the Buhari administration is doing well in the area of press freedom, safety and protection of journalists.
Also speaking the chairman of the INEC, prof. Mahmood Yakubu said that it is important that everything possible is done to protect journalists during elections.
Yakubu, who spoke through Mohammed Haruna, a national commissioner at the commission, observed that 45 journalists were killed last year in the world.
He said the government must ensure that some ugly signs which have emerged in the country such as the closure of some media houses in Zamfara state are not allowed to repeat itself in the forthcoming election.
He urged the media practitioners to stick to their code of conduct and be more responsible in the practice of their profession because their primary role is to ensure the success of the election.
Special adviser to the president on media, Femi Adesina said the president Mohammed Buhari is not culpable of crime against journalists.
According to him, if there was any such crime committed during the administration it was not consciously done.
He described as fake news the social media report alleging that the chairman of INEC was to be removed.
He urged the media to be on alert against falsehood as the election approaches, adding that Buhari had emphasised that he wanted to bestow on the country a free, fair and credible election.
Prof Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal university Kashere, Gombe and Chief Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission spoke on the topics: ‘Threat to press freedom in an Election year’, and Media, Civil society organisations and Right violation in election monitoring.