2015: General elections may spark violence in Nigeria – Falana warns INEC

As controversy continues to mar the inconclusive Anambra gubernatorial election, human rights activist and Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has warned the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get prepared as to avoid outbreak of violence in 2015.

Falana who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said there are people who believed that Nigeria will witness another civil war if President Goodluck Jonathan runs for second term.

According to him, “It is not in the interest of any faction of the ruling class to balkanize the country. It is also not in the interest of imperialists to have Nigeria broken up into pieces.

“However, with the lack of readiness on the part of the INEC as witnessed in the just concluded Anambra State governorship election, there are genuine fears that the 2015 general elections crisis may lead to violent eruptions,” Falana warned.

He added, “Such fears cannot be dismissed. More so, that terrorist attacks may make election impossible in certain parts of the country while some candidates may be kidnapped.

“There are also threats that the country will be plunged into war if President Jonathan is not re-elected”.

“Such threats cannot be dismissed having regard to the federal support for 5 instead of 27 legislators in Rivers State and 16 instead of 19 Governors in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

“From all indications, the management of the post election crisis by the ruling class will define the future of the country,” he said.