Violence , war and dismay among party

INEC said it had watched with utmost dismay and profound concern the recurrent acrimony, violence and destruction of property, including the commission’s property, which had characterized some recent political party congresses across the country.

National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, noted that the level of violence was making it very difficult for the commission to exercise its statutory oversight responsibility.

He said: “This is the season of political party congresses and conventions to elect their leaders at various levels of party organization and INEC is mandated by law to monitor them. These meetings constitute a very important aspect of the electoral process and democracy generally in Nigeria.