…calls on security agencies to be more vigilant
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has called on the security agencies to be more vigilant and leave no stone unturned in dealing with any real or potential threat to the conduct of the forthcoming Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
He noted that already, concerns have been expressed about the possibility of armed state and non-state actors disrupting the processes.
According to the INEC Chairman, with just 37 days to the Edo State governorship election and 93 days before voters in Ondo State go to the polls, security agencies should continue to work 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.
Professor Mahmood made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) said in doing so, security personnel should also continue to abide by the code and conduct and rules of engagement on electoral duty.
“We are again including copies of the document in your folders for this meeting. The same document is available on our website as well as the websites of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.”
He also informed that there are a number of outstanding bye-elections which have been declared vacancies by the Presiding Officers of the National and some State Houses of Assembly.
“While we focus on Edo and Ondo State governorship elections, I also wish to inform you that there are a number of outstanding bye-elections for which Presiding Officers of the National Assembly and some State Houses of Assembly have declared vacancies.
At our last meeting, the Commission informed you about the existence of vacancies for Khana II State Constituency of Rivers State, Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency of Kano, Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.
Since then, two more vacancies have been declared for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State and the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
“At this meeting, we will present to you the summary of the delimitation statistics of these constituencies to enable you begin preparations for security deployment ahead of the release of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the bye-elections,” he stated.
The INEC Chairman also called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to continue to maintain peace during elections period most especially now that the electioneering campaigns by political parties in the states of Edo and Ondo are ongoing.
He advised party and campaign spokespersons should tone down the negative rhetoric.
“I urge political parties, candidates and their supporters to maintain the peace as we approach the election day and beyond.” He further advised.
He, therefore, expressed his appreciation to all members of ICCES both at national, state and local government levels. Noting that their personnel have been supportive to all the Commission’s activities most especially the recent Continues Voter Registration (CVR) in the states of Edo and Ondo.
In his remarks, the National Security Adviser and Co-Chair of the ICCES, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had warned that any one or group of individuals attempting to disrupt the peaceful conduct of elections will face the full force of the law.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who was represented by Hassan Abdullahi further warned that any attempt to undermine, interfere with or disrupt the peaceful conducts of the polls would be viewed as an assault on the very essence of our democratic values.
He said the law enforcement agencies are on high alert and are ready to swiftly and decisively deal with any one trying to undermine the polls.