WILPF Nigeria Monitors the Nigerian Elections through the Women's Situation Room

by Aleah Ranjitsingh

In April, WILPF Nigeria monitored and observed the 2015 general, Governorship and the State House of Assemblies elections in Nigeria as part of the Women’s Situation Room-Nigeria (WSR-Nigeria).  This is part of WILPF Nigeria’s continued work towards peace, disarmament, the elimination of conflict and violence and the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Nigeria.  

 Led by WILPF Nigeria’s Joy Onyesoh, WSR-Nigeria was convened by 17 women-led organizations through the National Women’s Platform for Peaceful Elections (NWPPE). WILPF Nigeria coordinated a six-person secretariat in Abuja and a second physical Situation Room was set up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. WSR-Nigeria reported incidences of violence against women and the police, arson, shootings, and intimidation by armed men and; blatant electoral malpractices being perpetrated by political parties. 

The electoral violence  brought to light by WILPF-Nigeria has jeopardized the safety and security of women and all Nigerians. In the face of this violence, WSR-Nigeria has called on Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all political parties to continue to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and; for security forces to increase efforts to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety and security of lives and property.

WILPF International supports WILPF Nigeria’s work to ensure that Nigerian elections are peaceful and women and youth play meaningful roles in attaining and sustaining peace in accordance with UNSCRs 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

To read WSR-Nigeria’s press release, click here.