Nigeria Election Violence Tracker Situation Summary: 28 November – 12 December 2022
Summary
With the general election approaching, two major issues have dominated the news cycle during the first half of December. First, the increase in attacks on facilities run by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s election management body.
These attacks have raised concerns about the safety of electoral officials, as well as the feasibility of holding elections across the country. Second, the electoral campaign has further polarised the media environment, with attacks against allegedly partisan outlets. Such attacks call into question the relations between governments and ‘non-friendly’ media institutions.
Political Developments
Bola Tinubu addresses Chatham House: Bola Tinubu, presidential nominee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), presented his roadmap for a proposed presidency at an event hosted by Chatham House in London on 5 December. After the event, Tinubu also participated in a brief interview with BBC Africa, reportedly in an effort to address concerns about his lack of engagement with the media during his campaign. Key takeaways included his promise to prioritize economic and security concerns if elected. Tinubu also delegated questions to his entourage of allies, including to Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Cross River Governor Ben Ayade, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, his long-term associates Dele Alake and Wale Edun, and other party leaders who are expected to assume key government positions if he is elected.
Increased disagreements between the APC and the media: The APC campaign council issued statements accusing Nduka Obaigbena, a well-known media tycoon and owner of ThisDay Newspaper and ARISE TV, of corrupt practices. In retaliation, Obaigbena issued a rebuttal and dared the party to present its nominee for town halls and debates.
There has been a growing rift between both groups over Tinubu’s refusal to attend the two ARISE town halls that he was invited to. While APC supporters have accused ARISE of being overtly partisan – an anchor was a former government spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – others have raised concerns that Tinubu has only sufficiently engaged with foreign media and avoided directly engaging fellow presidential candidates.
Source: Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project