By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Determined to deliver a free, fair and credible election, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has tasked the security agencies to secure the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the February 12, 2022 Area Council Election.
Also, the Commission said it will work with the stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
The INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated these in his remarks at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022
at the Commission’s Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja.
The ICCES meeting which was the second time in 2022 was called by the INEC Chairman to review the security plans ahead of the FCT Area Council Election of February 12.
According to him: “You may recall that at our last meeting held on 20th January 2022, we resolved to invite the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to brief us on the security situation and state of readiness for the Area Council election. As you are aware, the election is holding on Saturday 12th February 2022 which is just 11 days away”.
The INEC boss explained that the Commission has been evaluating the risk to the election using the Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT), pointing out that the aim is to identify early warning signals that could assist the security agencies and other stakeholders in devising and deploying appropriate mitigation strategies.
Said he: “Among other areas of concern, the Commission focused on threats specific to geographical locations, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the issue of hard drugs, presence of insurgents and armed groups, intra and inter-party conflicts, and incidents of hate speech. The hard copy of the summary of the threats and frequency of incidents is included in your folders for this meeting”.
Yakubu however revealed that in the next few days, the Commission will intensify its engagement with stakeholders, particularly with party leaders and candidates, traditional and religious leaders, transport providers, civil society organisations and the media. We will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming election is peaceful and our processes credible.
According to him: “That is why this meeting is crucial. Securing the environment is the foundation for a peaceful, well-organised and credible election. This was clearly demonstrated in the peaceful conduct of the recent Anambra State Governorship election. Let us make the FCT Area Council election another shining example of a peaceful election”.
In his own remarks the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Co-Chair of ICCES Major General Babagana Monguno who represented at the meeting on Tuesday assured INEC that security agencies will provide adequate security before, during and after the election in FCT.
Heads of various security organisations in Nigeria and senior officials of the Commission attended the meeting.
