From Bolanle Ridwan, Abuja
Any attempt to undermine or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo and Ondo will be met with full force, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) warned.
TheNewsZenith reports that Ribadu gave the warning during an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting.
A director represented Ribadu at the meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
TheNewsZenith gathered that NSA is the co-chair of the Committee.
He said that his office monitoring pockets of violence in inter- and intra-parties struggles in the two states.
“We will treat any attempt to disrupt the elections as an assault on the nation’s democracy,” he warned.
He noted with dismay, the violent antecedents of some politicians and their supporters, in Edo in particular.
The NSA warned that any attempt to undermine, interfere with or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the polls, “will be viewed as an assault on democratic values”.
He assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to the peaceful conduct of elections. “The President is particularly unwavering in his commitment”.
Ribadu further warned that those planning to disrupt the elections should not mistake the current administration’s commitment to peace for weakness.
“We will defend the integrity of the polls using every lawful means at our disposal.
“The law enforcement agencies, are on higher alert and ready to swiftly and decisively deal with anyone trying to undermine the polls,” he said.
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, hinted that the Police are taking measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of election in the two states.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Elections, Lanre Ogunlowo, represented IGP.
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Egbetokun said the Police would coordinate with all other security agencies to ensure that voting in these elections was peaceful and orderly.
“We take cognisance of the challenges that usually come with elections and will deploy all necessary resources.
“At the moment, we have set aside officers from Police and other security agencies that will partake in the election.
“The issue of non-state actors disrupting or attempting to interfere with the electoral process will not happen.
“If the constitution doesn’t recognise their presence, they should not come near the voting process.
“We will ensure that votes count and we will have cause to give thanks to INEC and other participants during and after the elections,” Egbetokun said.
Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, tasked security agencies with vigilance and maintaining peace in Edo and Ondo state.
Yakubu, who is also co-chair of ICCES, tasked political actors with peaceful conduct.
He said electioneering campaigns by political parties were usually a time of concern and anxiety about security. This is as political parties canvass for votes.
“I urge political parties, candidates and their supporters to maintain the peace as we approach the election day and beyond.
“Party and campaign spokespersons should tone down the negative rhetoric.
“For security agencies, this is the time to be more vigilant. You should leave no stone unturned in dealing with any real or potential threat to peaceful and transparent elections.
With just 37 days to the Edo State governorship election and 93 days before that of Ondo polls, the chairman said INEC would continue to work together to ensure hitch-free conduct of the elections.
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