Rising from an emergency meeting held yesterday, November 11, to look at the simultaneous attacks on the Local Government offices of the INEC in Abeokuta South of Ogun State and Ede South of Osun State, the stakeholders lamented that just about 105 days to the 2023 General Election, such incidences were being witnessed.
“Similarly, troubling is the rising incidents of attacks on supporters and facilities of political parties, ostensibly by political opponents, so soon into the five-month period for campaign rallies, processions and meetings as provided in the INEC Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.
“It is even more worrisome that these are happening as several electoral activities that will precede the elections are in progress such as the display of the register of voters for claims and objections nationwide.
The stakeholders resolved that security agencies will upscale intelligence gathering, sharing and utilisation of same to stem further sabotage.
They advised the deployment of joint Security and Safety Teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide forthwith, adding that the teams will include, among others, the Police, Army, DSS, Civil Defence and the Federal Fire Service.
“In addition to the measures already taken for the arrest and prosecution of offenders, the Inspector General of Police, as head of the lead agency in internal security, shall convene a meeting of all political parties, candidates and other critical stakeholders to reiterate the imperative of peaceful campaign and to convey the enforcement measures to be taken against violators.
“Decisive lawful action shall be taken against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022. Those already arrested will face prosecution immediately.”
The stakeholders appealed to Nigerians to continue to support INEC and the security agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the 2023 General Election.
The meeting of what is tagged: Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), was co-chaired by the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and the National Secruity Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, representatives of the Armed Forces, the intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies as well as other members of the ICCES in attendance.
