Cynthia Ezegwu
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that any form of violence during the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election will be met with a firm and decisive response from security agencies.
Ribadu issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Represented by Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the NSA, Ribadu said the Federal Government had put in place comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, free, and credible election on November 8.
“As we prepare for the Anambra State governorship election, we have put in place robust security arrangements,” Ribadu said. “These include enhanced surveillance, the deployment of sufficient security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.”
He cautioned political leaders and candidates to take full responsibility for maintaining peace, stressing that security agencies would not tolerate violence or acts capable of destabilising the state.
“Any form of violence during the elections will be met with a strong, uncompromising response,” he warned.
Ribadu added that the police, alongside other security agencies, had been fully mobilised to provide adequate protection for voters, election officials, and materials before, during, and after the polls.
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Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, reaffirmed the commission’s readiness for the November 8 election, noting that all logistical and security preparations had been finalised.
“With just 11 days to the Anambra governorship election, the commission is confident in affirming its full preparedness for the polls,” Amupitan said. “We plan to deploy about 24,000 personnel, with voting taking place in 5,718 of the state’s 5,720 polling units.”
He urged security agencies to maintain collaboration in ensuring a safe and orderly voting environment while warning against vote-buying and voter inducement.
“Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate,” he stated. “Together, let us combat vote-buying, uphold democratic values, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections.”
The meeting, attended by representatives of the military, police, paramilitary agencies, and other stakeholders, forms part of ongoing efforts to guarantee a violence-free and transparent election in Anambra State.