By Godfrey AKON
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has tasked Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, to provide basic data on areas of security challenges in their states, including citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons, IDP camps.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the Second Quarterly Meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, in Abuja on Friday.
Yakubu said the idea is to harvest the data as a basis for further engagement with the security agencies as well as devising the best way to provide electoral services to all Nigerians under all circumstances.
The directive comes amid growing insecurity and violence in many parts of the country, ahead of the 2023 general election, as well as the Ekiti and Osun States gubernatorial elections.
The INEC boss also tasked security agencies on redoubling their efforts towards restoring normalcy to ensure free, fair and credible polls, stating that INEC is concerned by the general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process.
“The general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern to the Commission. However, we are confident that with nine months to the 2023 General Election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide.
“The Timetable for the election has also been released. Let us not wait until a few weeks to the election before we realise that time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timelines. The time to act is now. We wish to reassure the security agencies that we will continue to work cooperatively with you to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities,” he said.
Yakubu stressed the need for a clear understating of all agencies’ roles and responsibilities as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2022, as all have bearing on election security.
On his part, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Mongonu, who was represented by Sanusi Galadima, noted with utmost concern, the growing uncertainty heralding the conduct of party primaries for 2023 elections.
Mongonu said “heads of security and law enforcement agencies have been tasked to step up close monitoring and profiling of political actors, no matter highly placed, who exhibit tendencies to subvert the electoral process, even as thugs and their sponsors would equally be trailed for possible arrest and prosecution.
“The NSA has noted with utmost concern, the growing uncertainty heralding the conduct of party primaries for 2023 elections. This is in addition to the unabated spate of violence that threatened the upcoming off cycle gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States, arising from internal party wranglings, increasing acrimony and bickering amongst political actors as well as the inability of various contending political blocs to amicably resolves differences in line with democratic tenants.
“Consequently, the above disturbing development has already culminated in intense power play capable of heightening unnecessary political tension across the country. More worrisome is the unguarded utterances of some highly respected individuals and groups which more often than not amplifies divisive narratives to the detriment of national security and stability.
Mongonu stressed the need for INEC to enjoin political parties to consistently abide by prescribed rules as outlined in their respective manifestoes as this will significantly reduce areas of conflict and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for a hitch free off-cycle and general election.
