By Gabriel Ameh, The Sight News
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has disclosed that all security agencies in the country have been adequately mobilized to ensure the safety of citizens ahead of the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.
Ribadu who made this known Friday October 26, 2023 in Abuja during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, explained that the security personnel will carry out their assignments professionally.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu has ordered that everything possible should be done to ensure that the elections in the three states are free, fair, and credible, without any form of interference.
Ribadu, however, commended the level of preparation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and pledged support for conducive environment for a hitch-free election.
Speaking at the meeting, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu stressed the need for the 18 participating political parties to call their supporters to order, and to behave in the best possible manner before, during and after the election.
He appealed to security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence.
Prof. Yakubu said the Commission would not tolerate any form of violence and other undemocratic activities such as attacks on election officials, vote buying and disruption of the electoral process. This, according to him, is the only way to guarantee a safe environment for peaceful conduct of election and electoral activities.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Inspector General Of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun said the Police is aware that supporters of some candidates in the election were already mobilising to forment trouble during the elections.
The IGP said: “The security agencies are ready for the forthcoming off-cycle election and have received all the necessary information from INEC which has informed us where to deploy during this election.
“We have carried out our threat assessment and that has informed us where to allocate our resources and the deployment of our men. All the security agencies are collaborating seriously to ensure that this election is violence-free.
“My appeal to people who want to come out and make trouble during this election is for them to stay away from the election because there will be no place for them to operate.
“We are aware of the mobilisation by supporters of some candidates, we are already monitoring them and are ready for them during this election.
“I appeal to those who just want to come out and disrupt this election to stay away”, he warned.
He further appealed to the electorates to come out en mass to cast their vote during this election, adding that the Police is committed to a peaceful election and there is no going back on that.
For his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa said they will provide comprehensive support to the Police as the lead agency in election security to perform their duty without interference while assuring Nigerians that there is no need to entertain any fear as the armed forces, the police, and other security agencies will be fully on ground.
