By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Federal Government has in strongest terms vowed to deal decisively with agents of destabilization wishing to ferment trouble before, during and after the November 6 Anambra state Governorship Election.
This hint was dropped in Abuja on Monday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who also warned the politicians in Anambra State to as much as possible shun all those factors that will lead to going to court to contest the outcome of the election by playing according to the rules and regulation of the election.
Monguno who is also the Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) spoke at the security meeting ahead of the election called by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu at the INEC Conference Hall in Abuja.
According to him: “everyone knows how important the Anambra governorship election is to the people of the state and indeed all Nigerians hence the Federal Government is determined to provide the enabling environment for eligible people of Anambra state to exercise their civic duties on November 6.”
“For this reason the security agencies have been strategizing with the INEC and other relevant bodies to ensure a hitch-free election. Also, my office is working with all security agencies in the country to address the security situation in the South East especially in Anambra state”.
The NSA however warned that the security agencies will not standby to watch non-state actors disrupt the smooth conduct of the November 6 Anambra election, adding that those who are planning to stand on the way towards a free and fair election in Anambra state should think twice.
Said he: ” this government is committed to the protection of lives and property of all law abiding citizens before, during and after the elections. We have deployed enough security personnel to ensure a smooth conduct of the election. They are ready for any eventualities”
“But all those involved in providing security in the Anambra governorship election have been asked to conduct themselves in the best professional way. We need to do better than we did in Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections which have been applauded both home and abroad”.
“However, I want to use this event to ask all those who want to foment trouble or disturbed the peace of Anambra state that they should think twice.
In as much as we want the law enforcement agencies to conduct themselves in a professional manner, they have been directed to deal decisively with agents of destabilization.
“Any rogue element that will harm the process will not be spared. I hope those who are issuing counter directives are aware that the security agencies will not spare any efforts to deal with them”.
Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman who is also the Chairman IA said he summoned the security meeting to update all the agencies involved in the delivery of Anambra state Governorship Election on the preparations so far made.
He however reassured the registered voters in Anambra State that the choice of the next Governor lies in their hands, that “I urge all and sundry to play their part in ensuring a free, fair, credible and peaceful Governorship election in Anambra State”.
Those who attended the meeting aside the NSA are the representatives of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor; the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba and the representative of the Corps Marshal of the FRSC; Commandant General of the NSCD; the DG, DSS and the representatives of various Security Organisations who are members of ICCES.
Others present are high-ranking INEC National Commissioners and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, and Commissioner of Police, Echeng E. Echeng.
