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Nigeria's police chief bans vehicles from roads on election day this Saturday Nigeria's police chief bans vehicles from roads on election day this Saturday
(35 minutes later)
Nigeria’s police chief has banned all vehicles from the roads during elections this Saturday to “ensure adequate security”.Nigeria’s police chief has banned all vehicles from the roads during elections this Saturday to “ensure adequate security”.
Cars would not be allowed on the road from 8am – when polling stations open – until 5pm, said police inspector-general Suleiman Abba. Cars will not be allowed on the road from 8am – when polling stations open – until 5pm, said police inspector-general, Suleiman Abba.
He added: “This total restriction of movements order applies to all, except for ambulances, fire service trucks and others on essential duties. Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to use roads on these days and hours are advised to plan alternative times for their travelling.”He did not detail what the security risks were or how the ban would be enforced. He added: “This total restriction of movements order applies to all, except for ambulances, fire service trucks and others on essential duties. Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to use roads on these days and hours are advised to plan alternative times for their travelling.” He did not detail what the security risks were or how the ban would be enforced.
The move could deepen tensions ahead of Nigeria’s closest-fought elections since the country returned to democracy in 1999. President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the south, faces former northern military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in a repeat of elections in 2011. At least 500 people were killed after disputed results then triggered days of rioting in the north. The move could deepen tensions ahead of Nigeria’s closest-fought elections since the country returned to democracy in 1999. President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the south, faces former northern military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in a repeat of elections in 2011. Then, at least 500 people were killed after disputed results triggered days of rioting in the north.
Abba last week waded into the tense campaign when he warned voters not to stay behind for the sorting and counting of ballots once polls close on Saturday. Constitutional lawyers said there was no legal basis for his order. Abba last week waded into the tense campaign when he warned voters not to stay behind for the sorting and counting of ballots once polls close. Constitutional lawyers said there was no legal basis for his order.
Critics have said the security services have been too heavily involved in the electoral process, including the military pressing for a six-week rollback from an original date of 14 February. Critics have said the security services have been too heavily involved in the electoral process, including the military, pressing for a six-week rollback from an original date of 14 February.
Related: Nigerians question decision to delay presidential electionRelated: Nigerians question decision to delay presidential election
A court this week barred the military from guarding polling stations on voting day. The opposition brought the case after troops were heavily deployed last year ahead of governorship races in the southwestern states of Ekiti and Osun. Leaked press reports alleged that soldiers had conspired to rig the byelection. Both the military and ruling party have declined to deny or confirm the incident, although President Jonathan has dismissed the charges as “spurious”. A court this week barred the military from guarding polling stations on voting day. The opposition brought the case after troops were heavily deployed last year ahead of governorship races in the south-western states of Ekiti and Osun. Leaked press reports alleged that soldiers had conspired to rig the byelection. Both the military and ruling party have declined to deny or confirm the incident, although Jonathan has dismissed the charges as spurious.
If the military deploys despite the court order, the opposition is likely to use that fact to dispute the result should it lose, potentially spurring violence by Buhari’s supporters.If the military deploys despite the court order, the opposition is likely to use that fact to dispute the result should it lose, potentially spurring violence by Buhari’s supporters.
A government spokesman, Mike Omeri, told Reuters: “Nobody is using the military to conduct elections. They are deployed to support the security services [and] sometimes convey electoral materials.”A government spokesman, Mike Omeri, told Reuters: “Nobody is using the military to conduct elections. They are deployed to support the security services [and] sometimes convey electoral materials.”
Residents in Lagos, the main city and an opposition stronghold, have reported seeing an unusually heavy military presence in recent weeks. “I didn’t use to see them [soldiers] every day like how we are seeing them now,” said Joseph Akintola, a carpet seller from the heavily-populated Ajegunle neighbourhood. “As I’m talking to you now, this morning I’ve seen two convoys of them driving past.” .Residents in Lagos, the main city and an opposition stronghold, have reported seeing an unusually heavy military presence in recent weeks. “I didn’t use to see them [soldiers] every day like how we are seeing them now,” said Joseph Akintola, a carpet seller from the heavily-populated Ajegunle neighbourhood. “As I’m talking to you now, this morning I’ve seen two convoys of them driving past.” .
The court ruling does not apply to hundreds of soldiers already stationed across the north-east, which has been the main battleground for a six-year insurgency by the Islamists Boko Haram.
Related: Boko Haram 'getting weaker every day', says Nigeria presidentRelated: Boko Haram 'getting weaker every day', says Nigeria president
Since the six week delay was announced, a multi-national coalition of regional neighbours have pushed Boko Haram from all but two of the 26 local governments they previously controlled. The court ruling does not apply to hundreds of soldiers already stationed across the north-east, which has been the main battleground of a six-year insurgency by the Islamists Boko Haram.
The vote in Africa’s most populous nation, and regional anchor, are being closely-watched both at home and by foreign powers. Previous elections have been marred by intimidation and ballot box stuffing, although the 2011 one was deemed the fairest yet. Since the six-week delay in the election was announced, a multi-national coalition of regional neighbours have pushed Boko Haram from all but two of the 26 local governments they previously controlled.
The vote in Africa’s most populous nation, and regional anchor, is being closely watched both at home and by foreign powers. Previous elections have been marred by intimidation and ballot box stuffing, although the 2011 one was deemed the fairest yet.