***As Ribadu describes 2023 Elections best-ever
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Apparently dissatisfied with the roles political thugs played in the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged Nigeria security agencies to take a decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, thuggery, attacks on election officials and disruption of electoral processes especially in the upcoming off-cycle election in November.
This is even as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has described the 2023 general election as “the best-ever in the history of elections in Nigeria, thanking INEC for doing a job.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu on Friday at a meeting with Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at the Commission’s headquarters, Maitama, Abuja said the upcoming November off-cycle elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states should be taken serious.
The meeting which also has in attendance the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and representatives of other security agencies in Nigeria met to review the issues arising from the 2023 general election; especially, before, during and after the elections.
According to Yakubu, “Indeed, the concern that the perennial insecurity in some parts of the country before the February, 2023 election may make our deployment of personnel and materials, and consequently the conduct of polls, impossible, did not materialise. We wish to place on record our appreciation to the security agencies and other members of ICCES for the largely peaceful conduct of the polls.
“Similarly, during our interactive meetings with political parties, civil society organisations and the media, some specific security issues of concern were identified. We assured them that their concerns will be tabled at this meeting for appropriate remedial action.
“As we review the conduct of the last general election, we also need to focus our attention on the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States. Campaigns in the public in the three States commenced on 14th July 2023 and will continue until Thursday 9th November 2023 i.e. 24 hours to the opening of polls on Saturday 11th November 2023. Already, there are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates.
“While maintaining strict neutrality, security agencies should take decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process”.
In his Remarks, the NSA eulogised INEC for what he termed excellent job, saying that the Commission “conducted the best election-ever in the history of Nigeria”even as he has promised his unalloyed support to make every election in the country peaceful while thanking INEC for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections.
He said with what INEC is doing especially in the area of technologies which it is putting in place, it will improve the credibility of future elections and stabilize democracy in Nigeria. READ ALSO:
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Said he: “The Chairman of INEC, I am happy to be meeting and seating by your side today. I want to thank you for conducting the best election ever in Nigeria. I thank you personally on behalf of President Bola Tinubu for conducting the best election-ever”
“I assure you that government will be by your side to work for Nigerians.
I think we are going to support you to do better next.
Speaking further Malam Ribadu said: “We will work for Nigeria and Nigerians at anytime. On behalf of all the security agencies, we will support INEC to conduct peaceful off-cycle elections in November and ensure everything is credible”, he said.
