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As acting IGP reads riot acts to negative mobilizers
*Yakubu seeks decisive action against electoral violence perpetrators
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given directive that every step must be taken to ensure that the Saturday, November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States are made to be the best election in the history of the country so far in terms of transparency, freedom, credibility and fairness.
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu revealed this on Friday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja.
At the meeting, which had in attendance, NSA (who doubles as Co-Chair of ICCES),the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs, Acting Inspector General of Police, heads of Intelligence Agencies and other heads of Security and Law Enforcement Agencies among others, Ribadu pointedly said that the stage is set for a successful elections in the three states.
This is as the acting Inspection General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun revealed that the police force is fully ready for all those involved in negative mobilizations ahead of the elections.
Egbetokun specifically advised such persons to stay away.
In the words of the NSA, “Mr President has assured us that the elections will be free and fair. This is the first elections under his watch.
“He has assured that everything should be done to ensure that the elections are free and fair.
“Mr President has given his orders and directives that he would want to see a free, fair and credible elections
“He has promised to be available and provide all the necessary assistance to make the elections successful .
“All the requirements we have put forward to him, he has given his approval.
“He is a true democrat. It is now left for us to deliver”, he said.
Continuing, Mallam Ribadu said, “We want to give assurance to Nigerians that this elections will be better than what we ‘ve had in the past.
“These elections are going to be free and fair. These elections will be without interference.
“This elections are going to be without violence. This election is going to be credible”, he concretely assured.
He promised the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu that, “From the side of the security, which I am here representing, as co-chairman of ICCES,
I want to assure you that we are getting ready. We are getting prepared. We will work. We will be with you.
“There is nothing better in a democracy that a free and fair elections”, he declared.
On his part, the acting IGP said, “We have received all necessary information from INEC which have informed us on where to deploy to during these elections.
“We have carried out our threat assessment and that has informed us in respect to allocation of our resources and the deployment of our men.
“All the security agencies are collaborating strongly to ensure that these elections are violence free,’’ he said.
He added, “We are aware of some negative mobilizations by some supporters of some candidates and we are already monitoring them.
“We are ready for them for these elections. I appeal to them to stay away from this election.
“I also appeal to the electorate to come out en manse to cast their votes during this election. We are committed to peaceful election and no going back,’’ he said.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu, in his address at the meeting, appealed to the security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence.
This, he said, is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities.
The INEC Chairman said, “The three States of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are not the easiest States in Nigeria to conduct elections.
“The difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of campaign in public on 14th July 2023. “Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order.
“Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process must stop”, he said.
Continuing, Prof Yakubu said, “However, ultimate responsibility for election security lies with the security agencies. “Our message to the security agencies is to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence. T
“This is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities.
“In doing so, security personnel on electoral duty should remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.
“Once again, I would like to appreciate the NSA for providing leadership by ensuring coordination and synergy among the security agencies.
“We will continue to work together to ensure a more secure environment for elections in Nigeria”, he stated .
