The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has fired a clear warning shot at political actors inclined to violence and vote-buying ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and the by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
Ribadu sounded the caution at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Friday, as preparations intensify for the Feb. 21 polls.
He made it clear that anyone plotting to derail the electoral process would be smoked out and dealt with firmly before, during and after the elections.
Speaking through the Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Hassan Abdullahi, Ribadu urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to play by the rules and protect the sanctity of democracy.
“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 groups, community leaders and citizens to embrace a “sense of shared responsibility” in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic space.
Ribadu commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the recent Anambra governorship election and praised security agencies for their “outstanding performance” in maintaining law and order throughout the exercise.
According to him, the calm and credible outcome of the Anambra poll reflected the “unwavering commitment” of President Bola Tinubu to delivering free, fair and violence-free elections, setting a solid standard for future contests.
“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.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, represented by CP Abayomi Shogunle, assured Nigerians of extensive security deployment to keep the peace during the polls.
The IGP said the police would maintain round-the-clock security at INEC facilities and for its personnel before, during and after the elections.
“This is to enable INEC staff to carry out their duties without fear in any part of the country,” Egbetokun said.
Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, challenged security agencies to raise the bar in planning, deployment, intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination to ensure hitch-free FCT elections and the by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
