Nigerians enthusiastically trooped to the polling stations last Saturday to elect their representatives in the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The excitement of the much-awaited rescheduled elections was, however, dampened with the violent destruction of property and needless loss of 47 lives recorded in no fewer than nine states.
The killings of innocent citizens diminish us as a people and the cycle of election-day deaths brands our democracy as a contest of terror.
What purpose did the well-publicised Peace Accord, signed by presidential candidates of notable political parties serve? Their pledge of commitment to non-violent polls, after all, could not stop the orgy of violence unleashed on voters and other innocent citizens.
We have a history of violence on election days. And last Saturday, lamentably, did not offer any abatement.
Most unfortunately was the killing of a female ad hoc staffer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Degema, Rivers State, Ibisika Amachree, who was reportedly shot dead when soldiers opened fire on a speedboat, conveying election results to the collation centre.
We condemn the killing of the INEC official, a mother of two, who should rather have been protected. We demand a proper investigation of the incident and prosecution of those involved in her death.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, shortly before the elections, warned ballot box snatchers of the risk of paying with their lives, if they attempted to disrupt the voting process.
But no ballot snatcher paid with his life. Rather, several innocent citizens paid the supreme price. Many others, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who participated in the elections as electoral officers were injured, as ballot snatchers had a field day in some states.
Also, suspected political thugs shot dead a police corporal in Ogun State, while escorting election results to the collation centre. Similarly, an Army lieutenant lost his life during a shootout between hoodlums and soldiers, also in Rivers State.
We are saddened by the needless waste of lives.
Democracy is about choice and service to the people. But when candidates arm thugs with guns to kill and maim the people, then their motive for offering selves for service is dubious and the expected outcome would be termed evil.
We condemn this blight on our democracy and urge the security agencies to show more commitment to put a total stop to the senseless acts.
The upcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections provide an opportunity to the security agencies to protect law abiding citizens against thugs and their sponsors.
The government must also show the determination to stop the menace by tackling social dysfunctions, including, out-of-school children, massive unemployment, poverty and drug addiction, which fuel violence and killings.
