The escalating wave of banditry and kidnappings in Kwara State has dealt a heavy blow to Nigeria’s democratic process, as staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas have been forced to abandon registration centres.
Investigations reveal that INEC offices in both LGAs have remained locked for most of the week, crippling the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise that began in August. Security operatives reportedly warned electoral officers to stay away from volatile areas, fearing they could become “soft targets” for armed gangs terrorising the region.
Fear, Desertion, and Silence in Kwara North
Residents confirmed that Lade town in Patigi has already been deserted after relentless raids, with communities now advising INEC workers to stay away to avoid being kidnapped.
“The INEC staff are scared. They don’t want to risk being kidnapped or attacked,” one source disclosed. Another warned that the abduction of INEC officials could trigger national embarrassment and pile fresh pressure on the Tinubu administration.
An INEC officer, who spoke under anonymity, revealed:
> “There is no assurance of our safety. The INEC chairman has said there is no money to pay ransom if anyone is kidnapped.”
Frustrated residents now say insecurity is stripping them of their constitutional right to vote. A community leader in Patigi lamented:
> “People are eager to register and vote for a government that can guarantee safety. But how do you risk going out to register when you’re not sure you’ll return home alive? The fear is real.”
The crisis has also fueled anger against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whom locals accuse of neglect.
“The governor is junketing abroad while Kwara is burning. We hear he’s in the United States on vacation, leaving the people to their fate,” a resident alleged.
INEC Denies Abandonment
But Kwara’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet, has pushed back against claims of a total shutdown. He admitted that insecurity disrupted registration on August 25, the opening day, but insisted that security agencies have since been deployed.
> “We receive reports every day of registration in Edu and Patigi. The turnout is slow because insecurity discourages crowds, but our staff are still on ground,” Longpet said.
He maintained that the exercise is ongoing at INEC headquarters in township areas, not in remote communities.
Democracy Under Siege
Despite reassurances, the situation remains dire. Fear of bandit attacks continues to depress turnout, with many residents warning that unless urgent security measures are taken, thousands of eligible voters in Kwara North risk disenfranchisement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For now, the CVR exercise continues—but participation is dwindling as insecurity casts a dark shadow over Nigeria’s democratic future.
PIONEER NEWS 