By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has raised the alarm that there are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates.
Yakubu raised the alarm at a meeting of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (iCCES) on Friday in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman told the security agencies that while maintaining strict neutrality, they should take decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process.
He pointed out that a secure environment for the conduct of peaceful elections is the responsibility of the security agencies working in partnership with the Commission.
The synergy, he maintained, “enabled us to overcome many of the challenges prior to the 2023 General Election”, including the targeted attacks on INEC offices nationwide.
According to Yakubu, “Already, there are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates.
“While maintaining strict neutrality, security agencies should take decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process.
“A secure environment for the conduct of peaceful elections is the responsibility of the security agencies working in partnership with the Commission.
“The synergy enabled us to overcome many of the challenges prior to the 2023 General Election, including the targeted attacks on INEC offices nationwide.
“Indeed, the concern that the perennial
insecurity in some parts of country before the election may make our deployment of personnel and materials, and consequently the conduct of polls, impossible did not materialise.
“We wish to place on record our appreciation to the security agencies and other members of ICCES for the largely peaceful conduct of the polls.
“At the same time, we should draw lessons from the challenges that occurred for improved performance not only in the next General Election but also in the bye-elections, the eight off-cycle Governorship elections and other electoral activities to be held over the next three years.
“Similarly, during our interactive meetings with political parties, civil society organisations and the media, some specific security issues of concern were identified.
“We assured them that their concerns will be tabled at this meeting for appropriate remedial action”, he said.
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