FG Pledges To Support INEC To Deliver Credible Elections In Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo States
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is fully ready and fully prepared to ensure free and fair gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who stated this while playing host to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, in his office in Abuja said, that President Bola Tinubu has given orders that he wants to see free, fair, and credible elections.
He said the security agencies are working to ensure that, as nothing is as important as a democracy, promising that they will work with INEC 100% and meet all the requirements and standards required of them.
According to the NSA, the President had requested that everyone including politicians should be aware that nothing is much more important than to have a free and fair election, if we want the country to move forward.
Earlier in his speech, INEC Chairman and Chair of ICCES, Professor Yakubu implored security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence.
He said the difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of campaign in public on 14th, July 2023.
The INEC Chairman sent a message to politicians that they should call their candidates and supporters to order to shun all forms of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process.
He, however, reminded security agencies that ultimate responsibility for election security lies with them, hence, they should ensure coordination and synergy among the security agencies, promising that they will continue to work together to ensure a more secured environment for elections in Nigeria.
