The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured Nigerians, especially the residents of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States that the 11 November off-cycle governorship elections would be credible, violence-free and devoid of interference.
Ribadu was speaking as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with the INEC chairman, electoral officials, and security chiefs in continuation of consultations towards the successful conduct of the off-cycle elections.
National Security Adviser Affirms Commitment to Fairness and Security at ICCES Meeting in Abuja
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, while addressing members during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held at the… pic.twitter.com/21ImUFSHyB
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) October 27, 2023
The national security adviser said the elections would be a litmus test for elections under President Bola Tinubu.
“President Bola Tinubu has given the go-ahead for every resource – to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election – to be made available to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). And that voters must be provided a secure environment to cast their votes, being the first election under his watch.
“Security personnel are also one hundred per cent ready to protect the integrity of the polls and provide voters with a safe and secure environment to exercise their franchise and to ensure that the elections meet required standards,” Ribadu said.
Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, placed the entire success of the polls at the doorstep of security agencies, calling on them to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence in order to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities.
Mahmood reminded security personnel on electoral duty to remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.
