Ribadu: There Won’t Be Interference in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured that there won’t be any interference in the forthcoming governorship elections scheduled to hold in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states on November 11.

Ribadu gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja during  the meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said the security agencies in the country are getting prepared and are ready to meet the requirements and standards the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) want them to meet.

The NSA assured that the security agencies are mapping out strategies and ready to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent.

Ribadu stated: “This is going to be the first election that is going to be under his (President Bola Tinubu) watch. He said that we should take this message to INEC and to Nigerians that he is going to be very much available to support you to make sure Nigeria will have free and fair elections.

“Also to tell everyone, including the politicians, nothing much more important than to have a free and fair election, if we want this country to move forward. He is a democrat, he believes in democracy. He will support you. Already we have seen that the entire requirement we have put out to him, he has given us the go ahead.”

Ribadu stressed that the requirements of the entire security have been met, adding that the rest is for them to deliver.

His words: “We want to give assurance to Nigerians that this election will be even better than what we have had in the past. This election is going to be free and fair. This election will be without interference. This election is going to be without violence. This election is going to be credible. “It is going to be a litmus test for us. Three important states, one in the North-central, one in the South-east, one in the South-south and we are ready.

“We will provide what it takes to provide credible elections and we are impressed with the preparations we have seen from INEC and we will work together. Collectively it is our responsibility to deliver.”

Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, said the three states have 5,409,438 registered voters, out of which 5,169,692 have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

He explained that eligible voters would vote in all the 10,510 polling units.

However, the INEC chairman said that there are two polling units in Bayelsa State and 38 in Imo State without registered voters, adding that the list of these polling units is available on our website.

Yakubu added: “Similarly, election results will be collated in 649 Registration Areas/Wards, 56 Local Government Areas and three state collation centres.

“This gives us a cumulative figure of 11,178 voting and collation locations to deploy security personnel in the three States.

“This is in addition to ensuring a secure environment for the ongoing campaigns and rallies by political parties and candidates, security of voters, the escort of personnel and materials, protection of assets and general security for all persons with legitimate reason to participate in the election and electoral activities.”

Yakubu pointed out that Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states are not the easiest states in Nigeria to conduct elections.

The INEC chairman stressed that 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.

According to him, “Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order. Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process must stop.”