The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu has noticed what he called “ominous security signs” playing out in the build-up to the governorship election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States in November this year.
“There are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates,” Professor Mahmoud told members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at a meeting today, July 28, in Abuja.
He stressed the need for members to focus attention on the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
“Campaigns in 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,”
Professor Mahmoud said that INEC would continue to maintain strict neutrality, and called on the security agencies to 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.
He drew their attention to the fact that election is a multi-stakeholder activity, with INEC as driver of the process.
According to him, a secure environment for the conduct of peaceful elections is the responsibility of the security agencies working in partnership with the Commission. “The synergy enabled us to overcome many of the challenges prior to the 2023 General Election, including the targeted attacks on INEC offices nationwide. Indeed, the concern that the perennial insecurity in some parts of country before the 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.”
INEC boss asked members to draw lessons from the challenges that occurred for improved performance not only in the next General Election but in the bye-elections, the eight off-cycle Governorship elections and other electoral activities to be held over the next three years. “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.”
Those in attendance at the meeting are the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu as Co-Chairman, Acting Inspector-General Police, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), his counterpart in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other heads of agencies.
