From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
Security agencies and election stakeholders on Monday issued stern warnings to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its security arm the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and other non-state actors against disrupting Saturday’s Anambra governorship election.
The warning came as 16 political parties signed a peace accord in Awka ahead of the November 8 poll, with the Independent National Electoral Commission confirming that 2,802,790 eligible voters have been cleared to participate.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the Force would not hesitate to deploy “immediate, coordinated and overwhelming” action against any group attempting to threaten the election.
Represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ben Okoro, the IGP said the police had already launched targeted intelligence operations to “identify, isolate and dismantle” networks linked to intimidation or violence.
“The peace of Anambra State is not negotiable,” he said. “Any person or group found bearing arms or performing unauthorized security duties shall be treated as an armed non-state actor.”
He added that the police had activated a “zero-tolerance enforcement protocol” to deal decisively with ballot snatching, vote buying, voter intimidation and other electoral offences.
“Electoral offences will be treated as criminal violations of national security, not mere political misconduct,” the IGP warned.
He said cybercrime units had also been deployed to monitor and counter misinformation intended to disrupt public peace or undermine the process.
Egbetokun reminded VIPs and political office holders that they are barred from moving with armed escorts on Election Day, while party agents and security personnel must operate strictly within designated zones.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Lt.-Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), urged political actors to honour the accord in both word and action.
“Leadership is not only in seeking office but in safeguarding peace and ensuring that no life is put at risk,” Abdulsalami said.
He urged INEC to maintain transparency, stressing that public trust in the process depended heavily on the Commission’s conduct.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, called for restraint and responsible conduct from political parties and their supporters, insisting the election must reflect unity, not division.
“Let us demonstrate to the world that Anambra is a beacon of hope, resilience and democratic values,” he said.
Amupitan disclosed that the Commission had addressed logistics challenges and fine-tuned deployment plans for 24,000 personnel, who will man 5,718 polling units, 326 ward collation centres and 21 local government collation centres.
He said security preparations had been strengthened through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), with the police deploying 45,000 officers and NSCDC 10,250 personnel, among others.
“We reaffirm our resolve to combat vote-buying. Any individuals or groups planning to subvert the will of the people will be firmly confronted by the law,” he added.
With the peace accord signed, security deployment expanded and voter registration finalised, INEC expressed confidence that Saturday’s poll would be peaceful and credible.
