INEC Charges Security Agents To Be Ruthless During Elections

The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, charges security agents on duty to be ruthless with potential threats ahead of Edo, Ondo election.

In his remarks at an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), yesterday in Abuja, he urged party leaders and campaign spokespersons to tone down their negative rhetoric.

While reminding them that peaceful campaigns often herald peaceful elections, the INEC boss equally appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to maintain peace ahead of election day and beyond.

Yakubu, however, cautioned that in handling the real or potential threats, the security personnel should abide by the code, conduct, and rules of engagement for security personnel on electoral duty.

He further argued that with concerns already expressed about the possibility of armed state and non-state actors threatening to disrupt the processes, there was a need for synergy between the commission and the security agencies.

“Electioneering campaigns by political parties are ongoing. This is usually a time of concern and anxiety about security as political parties canvass for votes. A peaceful campaign often heralds a peaceful election. 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 the security agencies, this is the time to be more vigilant. You should leave no stone unturned in dealing with the real or potential threat to the conduct of peaceful and transparent elections. Already, concerns have been expressed about the possibility of armed state and non-state actors disrupting the processes.

“With just 37 days to the Edo State governorship election, and 93 days before voters in Ondo State go to the polls, we should continue to work together to ensure that the training of election officials, logistics for the movement of personnel and materials, polling and collation activities are not disrupted in any way.

“I must also add that in doing so, all your personnel should continue to abide by the code, conduct, and rules of engagement for the security personnel on electoral duty.”

Giving further update, Yakubu said: “The Commission has published the final list of candidates for the elections in the two states of Edo and Ondo. Seventeen political parties are fielding 34 governorship candidates and their running mates in Edo State. The same number of parties and candidates are participating in Ondo State.”

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, warned against any attempt to undermine or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Ribadu, who was represented by a Director in the Office of NSA, noted the pockets of violence for inter and intra-parties struggles in the two states, but warned that any attempt to disrupt elections would be treated as an assault on the nation’s democracy.

“Given the violent antecedents of some politicians and their supporters in Edo in particular, the NSA, who doubles as the co-chair of ICCES, has warned that any attempt to undermine, interfere with or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the polls, will be viewed as an assault on the very essence of our democratic values.

“We want to reassure you that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to a peaceful conduct of elections, and is particularly unwavering in his commitment.

“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.

Ribadu assured voters in the state of government’s determination to protect them and encouraged them to vote confidently and promptly report any suspicious activities or threats to the authorities.

“To our security forces and election officials, your dedication and integrity are crucial. As the guardians of our democracy, you must ensure that every ballot is protected and every voter feels safe and the sanctity of the election is upheld,” Ribadu said

Egbetokun, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in-charge of elections, Lanre Ogunlowo, said the Police was putting in place all measures required to ensure peaceful conduct of the two elections.

He said the Police would be coordinating with all other security agencies to ensure voting in the elections are peaceful and orderly.

“We take cognisance of the challenges that usually come with elections and all resources are being deployed. At the moment, we have compiled set aside officers from Police and other security agencies that will partake in the election. And to that extent, we just want to assure you that we will do all we need to do.

“The issue of non-state actors especially disrupting or attempting to interfere with the electoral process will completely not happen.

“If they are not constitutionally involved in the process, they are not supposed to be found during the voting process.

“We will continue to do what is expected of us in the two states and Nigerians at large.

”We will ensure that their votes count and we will have cause to give thanks to INEC and other participants during and after the elections,” he said.