NSA Assures Voters in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa of Secure Polls, Warns against Violence

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Ahead of Saturday’s off-cycle gubernatorial polls in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, Friday, assured the electorate and residents of the states of the preparedness of security forces to ensure an enabling environment that would ensure free, fair and secure elections.

He warned against violence by political actors and charged security agencies to adhere to professional code of ethics during the conduct of the exercise.

The NSA assured that in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu security agencies  made adequate preparations to ensure safe, secure and transparent elections on Saturday, 11 November, 2023.

The NSA, who is the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security charged all security, intelligence and law enforcement officers deployed on election security duties to conduct themselves creditably.

The NSA further stated that the federal government had mobilised all the required resources for the smooth conduct of the elections and called on all election managers to adhere strictly to the instruction given by the president. 

Ribadu further warned that a monitoring system was established with monitors deployed to the field to collect any evidence of violence and irregularities.

“The NSA vowed severe consequence for anyone who is found to have disrupted the conduct of elections or abused his authority”, he said.

A statement issued by the Head, Strategic Communication,

Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U. Mijinyawa, said 

Ribadu admonished voters in the three states to come out en masse to exercise their franchise assuring them of adequate protection.