The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to political actors planning violence or vote buying ahead of the Feb. 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
Ribadu delivered the warning on Friday at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
He cautioned that security agencies would identify and restrain individuals or groups seeking to undermine the electoral process before, during and after the elections.
Represented by the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Hassan Abdullahi, Ribadu urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to act responsibly and safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
“As we prepare for the FCT area councils election, and the by-elections in Kano and Rivers States, the Nigerian Police Force, designated as the lead agency for election security, in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies, is actively mobilising resources and implementing measures to prevent any action that would disrupt the electoral process.
“Accordingly, adequate security personnel will be deployed to polling stations and high-risk electoral wards.
“Also, political thugs and politicians with violent dispositions will be identified and reprimanded or restrained before, during, and after the election, while votes buyers will be traced and apprehended.
“Political parties, candidates, and their supporters are therefore urged to conduct themselves with decorum, and uphold the integrity of the democratic process. Any non-compliance will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law,” he said.
The NSA also appealed to the media, civil society organisations, community leaders and citizens to develop a shared commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He commended INEC for the successful conduct of the recent Anambra governorship election and praised security and law enforcement agencies for their role in maintaining peace during the polls.
According to him, the peaceful Anambra election reflected the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to credible and violence-free elections and set a benchmark for future exercises.
“This achievement is particularly significant as the nation prepares for the upcoming electoral events,and this includes the area council elections in the FCT, by-elections in Rivers and Kano state.
“This is in addition to the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State on June 20, and Osun on Aug. 8, as well as general elections in 2027, and the nationwide voter revalidation exercise and ongoing continuous voter registration,” he said.
Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, assured Nigerians of extensive security arrangements to guarantee peaceful polls. Represented by Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, the IGP said the police would maintain round-the-clock security at INEC facilities and for its personnel.
“This is to enable INEC staff to carry out their duties without fear in any part of the country,” Egbetokun said.
In his opening remarks, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, called on security agencies to intensify planning, deployment, intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination ahead of the FCT election and the by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
