As the November 11, 2023, governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states draw nearer, the federal government and top military officials have issued a strong warning to potential troublemakers bent on disrupting the electoral process.
The national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, conveyed this warning during a meeting with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, accompanied by the commission’s national commissioners and members of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security.
In attendance were Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi.
Ribadu stressed the importance of ensuring fairness and security in the upcoming elections, assuring that these polls would surpass the standard of previous elections.
He highlighted that the off-season elections mark the first conducted under the current administration and that the president is committed to providing all necessary support to ensure Nigerians experience free and fair elections.
“The cornerstone of any democracy is a free and fair election, and this government is fully committed to that principle. Mr. President has given his explicit orders, expressing his desire for free, fair and credible elections. This will be the first election under his leadership, and he has conveyed his readiness to provide unwavering support to INEC and the entire Nigerian populace to ensure the realisation of free and fair elections. It is imperative for politicians and all concerned parties to understand that there is nothing more critical than ensuring free and fair elections if we want our nation to progress,” said the NSA.
“He is a democrat, he believes in democracy. He will support you. Already we have seen it. In the entire requirement we have put out to him, he has given us the go ahead. The entire security force and all our requirement has been met, the rest is for us to deliver,” he added.
While noting that security plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of elections, Ribadu assured Nigerians that the federal government will ensure strict adherence to the established regulations for these elections.
“Extensive preparations have been undertaken in readiness for this significant event. Our primary objective is to conduct elections that are not only free but also trustworthy and peaceful, scheduled for November 11, 2023”, he stated.
The IGP, on his part, declared security agencies’ readiness for the polls, saying the police have finalised deployment for the elections.
While appealing to people who may want to come out to make trouble to stay away from the three states, Egbetokun vowed that there would be no place for them to operate in this election
He said the police were aware of some negative mobilisation by some candidates and their supporters but promised that their plans would fail.
He also hinted at the massive deployment of security agents to Imo state.
Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa assured voters that the armed forces would provide full and comprehensive support in ensuring that the police are able to perform their duty without any interference.
He said: “We want to assure Nigerians, especially those in these three states for the offseason election not to have any further fear or any doubt because the armed forces and the police and other security agencies will be fully on ground.
“Every Nigerian we’re sure is tired of elections with violence. This we intend to make it different. We want to do things differently. We want at the end of it every Nigerian proud first to understand that elections are now free and fair and everybody who wins an election should be happy that he won and he won very well without any intimidation.”
Asked about the security threats posed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East, especially in Imo State, the CDS said the organisation would not be allowed to disrupt the poll.
“Not at all. That is why are assuring you that we have already deployed fully on ground both covertly and overtly and to ensure that anybody who attempts to disrupt any of the elections will have himself to blame, that we guarantee,” he said.
Musa who also warned military personnel against unprofessional conduct, said any officer found wanting would be severely punished.
He said: “Our personnel know the code of conduct and what is expected of them. We have explained to them and also carried out sensitisation and we have also set warnings. We have court-martial on standby. Any of the members of the armed forces who misbehaves in whatever way will have himself to blame. The court marshals are fully operational already. We want to ensure that we act professionally in everything that we do.”
Earlier at the parley, the INEC chairman said the three States of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi are not the easiest states in Nigeria to conduct elections.
According to him, the difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of the campaign.
“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.
