The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, has warned against any plot to exploit the current socio-economic situation in Nigeria to ignite civil unrest before, during or after the general election.
Monguno, represented by Sanusi Galadima, gave the warning during the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Monguno said government was aware of plots by domestic subversive groups and their external collaborators to exploit the current socio-economic climate in the country occasioned by well-intended government policies to ignite civil arrest.
“In this vein and in line with Mr President’s commitment to ensure a peaceful transition of political power to a democratically-elected next president through free, fair and credible elections
“Security agencies have been charged to ensure a robust deployment to deal decisively with any individual or group, no matter how highly placed.
“Strong commitment among critical stakeholders in the electoral process, strict adherence to the rules of the game by the political actors and the security personnel exhibiting high level of professionalism, are critical toward achieving a successful and credible election.’’
He assured Nigerians of his undeterred determination to coordinate the efforts of all security and intelligence agencies for the successful conduct of the 2023 general election.
The NSA, however, observed with serious concern the escalation of violent electioneering across the country in spite of the peace accord endorsed by all the presidential flag-bearers.
“This ugly trend is played largely on the attitude of political actors, their sponsored thugs and other unpatriotic elements through unguarded utterances.
“Apparently the above has further impeached the concerted effort of security and intelligence agencies to effectively neutralise the prevailing security challenges associated with the insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, separatist agitations and communal conflict, among others.”
Monguno urged INEC to reiterate the need for presidential candidates to uphold their commitment to peaceful elections and the next round of national peace accord.
He commended INEC security agencies and National Peace Committee for de-escalating the usual anxieties that characterise the build up to Nigerian election cycles.
Monguno also applauded the revised Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Agencies on Electoral Duties released at the meeting.
“The foregoing will undoubtedly enhance synergy and collaboration among member agencies to effectively mitigate and envisage threat during and post-election phases,’’ he said.
In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said that INEC was encouraged by the assurances of security in all locations where elections and electoral activities will be conducted.
Yakubu said that the meeting was to fine-tune the committee’s operation plan for the forthcoming elections, to guarantee safety of all.
“The commission is aware that security agencies are going to protect not only our officials and facilities, but also accredited observers, journalists, service providers, and above all, the voters themselves.
“So this meeting is rarely an opportunity for us to fine-tune our operations, not only for the protection of the environment or the security of the environment in which election will be conducted.
“Also the security of all those involved in the process, ranging from INEC officials, the facilities we are going to use for the election, as well as all those who have legitimate business to be part of the electoral process.
“From the observers to journalists representing various national and international media organisations, to service providers like transporters and others, but above all, the voters will cast their votes in about 177,000 locations nationwide on Saturday,’’ Yakubu said.
High point of the meeting was the presentation of the reviewed Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Agencies on Electoral Duties.
