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The presidential elections are coming soon, but huge number of people, displaced by the Islamist insurgency in north-east Nigeria, may not be able to vote in the elections.

Since 2011 Boko Haram has been operating in the north-eastern Federal States of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno. In May 2013, the Federal Government declared the state of emergency. Despite military interventions by the government, the security crisis has continued to worsen, with growing numbers of victims of killings and abductions.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHRC), the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 3,700 civilians to date and massive internal displacement of the population.

Nigerian refugees arrive on Lake Chad islands in Niger after fleeing attacks in Doron Bagga in Borno state, Nigeria. Source: UNHCR

And the number of Nigerians who are seeking for refuge in neighbouring countries continues to grow:

1. Cameroon

It is estimated there are over 30,000 Nigerian refugees in northern Cameroon, some 20,000
of whom have so far been registered by UNHCR and over 6,000 have been relocated from
the border to Minawao camp where multi-sectoral assistance is being provided.

2. Chad

Currently Chad is hosting over 1,000 Nigerian refugees. A second wave of refugees (about
1,000) arrived in August 2014 on Lake Chad’s Choua Island. They are being relocated further
away from the border to Ngouboua where a first group was settled last year.

3. Niger

More than 50,000 persons have fled Nigeria and sought refuge in the Diffa region of southeast Niger. The group includes Nigerian refugees, returning Niger nationals and third country nationals.

The UN refugee agency on September 16, 2014, announced a joint call on donors for US$34 million to fund urgent operations to help tens of thousands of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Nigerian refugees who live with host communities in Bosso, Niger. Source:  UNHCR

UNHCR and its 16 partners need the funding to provide protection and life-saving aid to the people who have to date fled from the escalating violence in north-east Nigeria.

Last year Goodluck Jonathan imposed the state of emergency in the North East in a bid to curb the insurgency. However, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the elections will took place in all parts of the country.
At the same time, it is doubtful whether Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are ready for them.