The U.S. Human Rights Report of 2023 disclosed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) employed political thugs to intimidate and suppress voters from the Igbo ethnic group during the state election in Lagos on March 18.
This was reportedly done to manipulate the election results in favor of their candidate, Sanwo-Olu.
The report indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly suppressed voters in areas predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group.
It was also noted that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate who is of Igbo ethnicity, emerged victorious in the national election held on February 25. This information was made available on the official U.S. Government website.
The report further detailed incidents captured in viral social media videos, where APC supporters in Ojo were seen threatening presumed pro-Obi, ethnic Igbo voters. Journalists were also reportedly attacked by APC supporters. Despite the presence of police officers during these incidents, there was a lack of response to the attacks, and no apparent arrests or prosecutions of the alleged culprits.
The report also shed light on other significant human rights issues in Nigeria. These included arbitrary and unlawful killings, extrajudicial killings, and instances of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the Nigerian government. The report also pointed out the existence of severe and life-threatening prison conditions, and cases of arbitrary arrest or detention.
Furthermore, the report raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary and instances of arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy.
