FG Warns Against Violence As Security Agencies Tighten Measures For Peaceful Anambra Governorship Election

 

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has sent a strong caution to political actors, groups, and individuals ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, urging them to desist from any act that could incite violence or disrupt the electoral process.

Speaking during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held on Tuesday, October 28, in Abuja, Ribadu, represented by Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the NSA, made it clear that the Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the election. The high-level meeting brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other partners involved in ensuring the safety and integrity of the polls.

Ribadu emphasized that any form of electoral violence during the Anambra governorship election will be met with a firm and decisive response from security agencies. He explained that extensive measures have been put in place to safeguard the process, protect voters, and ensure that the exercise is conducted in an atmosphere of peace and order.

According to him, the government’s security plan is both comprehensive and proactive. He said authorities have intensified surveillance across volatile areas, deployed additional security operatives, and strengthened intelligence-sharing mechanisms among security agencies. The aim, he noted, is to prevent any coordinated effort by criminal elements or political thugs to manipulate or obstruct the smooth conduct of the election scheduled for November 8.

Ribadu highlighted that Nigeria’s democracy thrives only when elections are credible, free, and devoid of violence. He appealed to candidates and political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns and shun inflammatory statements that could provoke unrest. He made it clear that security operatives will not hesitate to act decisively against anyone found engaging in acts capable of inciting violence or disrupting public peace.

He stated, “As we prepare for the Anambra State governorship election, robust arrangements have been put in place to ensure peace and credibility. Enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and a strong deployment of personnel will help us guarantee a secure environment for all stakeholders. Any form of violence during the elections will be met with a strong, uncompromising response.”

Ribadu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting voters, election officials, and materials throughout the process. He noted that the deployment of security agencies will begin days before the election to deter criminal activities and ensure early identification of potential threats.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, who also addressed the gathering, reaffirmed the electoral commission’s readiness to conduct a transparent and hitch-free election. He revealed that INEC has finalized all logistical arrangements, including the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, the training of ad-hoc staff, and the deployment of technological tools to enhance efficiency at polling units.

Amupitan disclosed that about 24,000 personnel will be deployed across Anambra’s 5,720 polling units, with voting expected to take place in 5,718 of them. He expressed confidence in the commission’s preparedness, assuring the public that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the election is conducted according to best practices.

He commended the security agencies for their continued partnership and urged them to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the exercise. He also warned against vote buying and voter inducement, emphasizing that such practices undermine democracy and compromise the credibility of elections. “Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate,” he said, stressing that transparency remains central to INEC’s mission.

The ICCES meeting was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Police Force, the military, paramilitary organizations, and other stakeholders involved in election security coordination. Participants reviewed strategies for managing election-related risks and agreed on collaborative frameworks that would enable real-time information sharing among security operatives during the election period.

Stakeholders at the meeting reaffirmed their collective determination to deliver a peaceful, credible, and transparent governorship election in Anambra State. They assured residents that every measure has been taken to ensure their safety before, during, and after the polls.

The upcoming election is viewed as a crucial test for the country’s commitment to democratic values, and both the Federal Government and INEC are under pressure to guarantee that the exercise reflects the will of the people. With heightened security arrangements and clear warnings from the nation’s top security official, the focus now turns to political parties and candidates to play their part in ensuring that peace prevails across the state on election day.