International human rights organisation Yiaga Africa called on security agencies on Thursday to “be vigilant and give safety to voters” in the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for 18 March 2023. The group said the March elections present another opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve on the logistical and technological challenges experienced during the 25 February presidential and National Assembly elections.
Yiaga Africa will deploy a total of 1,547 duly trained and accredited observers—both stationary and roving—to monitor the election in all 28 states. Using the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, the organisation will place 900 stationary observers in a randomly selected sample of 300 polling units in each of Benue, Delta and Kano states, complemented by 97 roving observers in those three states. In the remaining 25 states, Yiaga Africa will deploy 517 stationary observers and 33 roving observers. These observers will cover the entire election day process, from the setup of polling units, accreditation and voting to the announcement and posting of official results, and will send periodic reports to the Watching the Vote National Data Centre. After polls close, observers will be sent to all local government area and state results collation centres to monitor and report on the collation process, enabling Yiaga Africa to provide timely and accurate information on the governorship elections.
The deployment plan, presented to journalists in Abuja by board member Ezenwa Nwagwu and Director of Programmes Cynthia Mbamalu, is supported by the European Union through its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project. The report notes that “the stakes and expectations are understandably higher, with the elections expected to be competitively unpredictable.” Yiaga Africa also observed that at least 26 states have confirmed the deployment of both sensitive and non‑sensitive election materials to their local government areas, a positive development. However, the organisation urges INEC to ensure proper coordination with transport companies and unions to guarantee early delivery of materials and personnel to polling units, thereby avoiding the late commencement of polls that has become a trend.
Yiaga Africa highlighted recent swift actions by INEC, such as redeploying electoral officers in Rivers State and withdrawing Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abia and Sokoto states. The organisation calls for these measures to be extended to include sanctions for any personnel who violate electoral guidelines. Reports indicate that INEC reconfigured a substantial number of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) ahead of the polls, with Oyo state receiving an additional 406 BVAS as backup. As of 15 March 2023, Yiaga Africa received reports from Rivers state of 22 BVAS uncounted or missing and three damaged units.
The organisation also documented instances of voter inducement. In Benue’s Tarka LGA, supporters of the APC distributed money and food items; in Yobe’s Damaturu and Potiskum LGAs, APC and PDP representatives collected voters’ bank details to make wire transfers. In Akwa Ibom’s Ibeno LGA, PDP youths reportedly received a cash inducement of ₦1,000,000 after endorsing a candidate on 12 March 2023.
Security concerns remain. While the pre‑election period has been relatively calm since the 25 February election, Yiaga Africa received troubling reports of light arms proliferation in several Rivers State LGAs (Abua‑Odual, Andoni, Akuku‑Toru, Asari‑Toru, Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai). A House of Assembly candidate for the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni constituency was allegedly abducted, heightening tension. Ethnic and religious divisive rhetoric has also increased in some states since the February elections. Additionally, recurring clashes between herders and farmers were reported in Benue’s Ukum and Kwande LGAs.
Logistical challenges that plagued the presidential election, notably cash shortages that hindered driver transportation from registration area centres to polling units, remain a concern. Despite promises from the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide sufficient cash for effective logistics, Yiaga Africa warns that unresolved cash scarcity could lead to further logistical problems, undermining the election’s quality.
Finally, Yiaga Africa expressed worry that the low voter turnout observed in the presidential election could be repeated in the gubernatorial polls. While INEC and other stakeholders continue to encourage voter participation, lingering doubts about the commission, inadequate voter education and the ongoing effects of naira scarcity may depress turnout. The organisation calls on INEC and security agencies to address the shortcomings identified in previous elections before the governorship election takes place.
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