Security on alert as INEC warns of violence — News — Headline News – Nigeria and World News
Edo Public Opinion Survey
The Federal Government has said that attempts by political thugs to disrupt the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election were election You will encounter strong resistance.
The government warned that those planning to disrupt the elections should not mistake the current administration's peace efforts for weakness.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, made the warning on Wednesday at the third regular quarterly consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES) organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Tensions are rising between political parties and their supporters ahead of the election, raising fears of violence on election day.
A report released in July by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) revealed a shadow of uncertainty hanging over the prospects for a peaceful voting process in Edo State.
Related article: INEC registers 177,914 new voters for Ondo, Edo elections
The document specifically revealed that no local government in Edo State is likely to be relatively peaceful in the upcoming governorship election.
While assuring Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to peaceful elections, Ribadu, who is also the co-chairman of the ICCES;
He maintained that any attempt to disrupt, impede or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections would be seen as an attack on the very essence of Nigeria’s democratic values.
“We will use all lawful means to protect the integrity of the vote, and anyone who attempts to disrupt the peaceful conduct of our elections will face the full force of the law.”
“Law enforcement agencies are on high alert and stand ready to take swift and decisive action against anyone who seeks to disrupt the election results,” Ribadu said.
He said the government “stands with you and is determined to listen to your voice” and urged people to go vote with confidence.
He added: “Your role in promptly reporting any suspicious activity or threats to the authorities is vital. If we stay vigilant and united together, we can thwart any attempts to disrupt our elections.”
“To our security forces and election officials, your dedication and integrity are vital. As guardians of our democracy, you must ensure that every vote is protected, every voter feels safe, and the sanctity of our elections is upheld.”
“Finally, we are stronger together and let us move forward with the awareness that we will safeguard the peaceful conduct of the Edo State gubernatorial election on September 21, 2024.”
Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed concern over the possibility of armed state and non-state actors disrupting the process.
Related article: APC’s obsession with Edo State security network
He appealed to security agencies to be more vigilant while leaving all measures to address any real or potential threats to the conduct of peaceful and transparent elections.
Yakubu said: “We are 37 days away from the Edo State gubernatorial election and 93 days until voters in Ondo State go to the polls, we need to continue to work together on the training of electoral officials, the logistics of movement of personnel and materials, and to ensure that voting and counting activities are not hindered in any way.”
“In doing so, we must also add that all personnel must continue to adhere to the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for security personnel on election duty.
“I am again enclosing a copy of the document in your folder for this meeting and the same document is available on our website as well as the websites of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.”
“While our focus is on the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, we also want to inform you that there are several outstanding by-elections in which the Speakers of the National Assembly and some state Houses of Assembly have declared vacant seats.
“At its last meeting, the committee informed us that there are vacancies in Kana II State Constituency in Rivers State, Bagwai/Shannono State Constituency in Kano State, Zaria-Kewae State Constituency in Kaduna State and Babra/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State.
“Since then, two more vacant seats have been declared in Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State and Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
“This meeting will provide a summary of delimitation statistics for these constituencies so that preparations for the deployment of security forces can begin ahead of the announcement of the by-election datetable and operation schedule.”
Source: guardian.ng