The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed confidence in the capacity of the nations Security Agencies to tackle the challenge of insecurity in the country before the 2023 general election.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this known during the Commission’s second regular Quarterly Consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), held at the INEC headquarters, Abuja on Friday, 22nd April, 2022.
While he raised concerns over the recent attacks on the Commission’s staff and facilities in different locations across the country, the INEC Chairman said, “Despite the security challenges, we must remain resolute in our determination to conduct the 2023 General Election as scheduled”.
He maintained that the Commission was confident that the country’s security agencies have the capacity to deal with the security challenges ahead of the 2023 General Election.
He said, “fortunately, we have started the preparations for the election early. There is therefore ample time to deal with the current situation to enable the Commission and all stakeholders to deploy nationwide for the election. We will continue to work with the security agencies for a peaceful electioneering and conduct of elections”.
Speaking on the spate of attacks on the Commission’s staff and its facilities and steps taken so far, Prof. Yakubu said, “we are concerned about the safety of our personnel and Nigerians who come out to register at the various registration centres. We are also concerned about the security of our equipment and materials, including the printed Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) made available for collection by registered voters.
“Recent incidents involving our staff and facilities are worrisome. You may recall that after a series of consultations with stakeholders (political parties, civil society organisations, the media and security agencies) before the resumption of the exercise in June last year, we agreed on a roll-out and roll-back approach to the CVR exercise depending on the security situation in specific areas, ” the Chairman said.
He continued: “consequently, following the unfortunate incident in Imo State last week, the Commission suspended the CVR exercise in all the 54 additional centres in the State. The exercise is now restricted to our State and Local Government offices except Ihitte Uboma, Njaba and Osu where the exercise has been suspended for the time being”.
Prof. Yakubu added that: “Similarly, based on the urgency of the situation in Anambra State, the CVR has been suspended in all the 42 additional centres and confined to our State and Local Government offices except Nnewi South and Ogbaru LGAs where the exercise has also been temporarily suspended. Furthermore, in Kaduna State, the exercise has been suspended in Jema’a and Kaura as well as large areas of Birnin Gwari and Giwa on account of insecurity in the four LGAs”.
“In addition, two of our staff were abducted by bandits but later released in Isa LGA of Sokoto State while on voter registration duty. The Commission will keep monitoring and reviewing the situation nationwide, always bearing in mind the imperative of protecting the safety and security of our staff and registrants, “Prof. Yakubu stated.
