Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has urged security agencies to beef-up commitments to ensure adequate security around all electioneering activities in the country.
Mahmood gave the charge at the Second Quarterly Meeting of The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee On Election Security (ICCES) On Friday 13th May 2022 In Abuja.
He said the general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern, hence the need for adequate preparation by security agencies to avoid seeking extension of timelines.
“We have tasked our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to provide basic data on areas of security challenges in their States, including citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Our idea is to harvest the data as a basis for further engagement with the security agencies as well as devising the best way to provide electoral services to all Nigerians under all circumstances.
We are confident that with nine months to the 2023 General Election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide. The Timetable for the election has also been released. Let us not wait until a few weeks to elections before we realize that time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timelines. In addition, as political parties end their primaries on 3rd June 2022 and candidates emerge, campaigns in public by political parties will commence nationwide as provided by the Timetable for the election in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Going forward, The time to act is now.”
On his part, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Represented by Sanusi Galadima, while commending the efforts of the commission for their commitment to ensuring the success of the forthcoming 2023, general election laments some of the unguarded utterances that are capable of undermining national security and stability by some highly respected individuals and groups, thus vowing to monitor closely any tendencies bent at subverting the electoral process.
“The NSA has noted with utmost concern, the growing uncertainty heralding the conduct of party primaries for 2023 elections. This is in addition to the unabated spate of violence that threatened the upcoming off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States, arising from internal party wranglings, increasing acrimony, and bickering amongst political actors as well as the inability of various contending political blocs to amicably resolves differences in line with democratic tenants.
Consequently, the above disturbing development has already culminated in an intense power-play capable of heightening unnecessary political tension across the country.
Accordingly, heads of security and law enforcement agencies have been tasked to step up close monitoring and profiling of political actors no matter highly placed who exhibit tendencies to subvert the electoral process, even as thugs and their sponsors would equally be trailed for possible arrest and prosecution.”
The NSA further urged the INEC to enjoin political parties to adhere strictly to the prescribed rules in order to reduce conflict for a hitch-free off-cycle and general election.
