2023: INEC, NSA allay fears of insecurity during elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, on Tuesday, allayed the fears of insecurity over the current fuel and Naira scarcity in the country.

Monguno, who spoke at a meeting held in Abuja, said the security agents had been adequately trained to ensure that the elections took place in a secure environment.

He said: “We had several meetings with the chairman of INEC, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, which I co-chair. We know what we have done. We are sure of what we have on the ground.

“All of us here who are the managers of security in the electoral process know what we’re doing. We are not in any way in doubt but we need to let the entire country know that agents of bad news peddling all kinds of stories around, we see these on social media. If these are intended to scare people, I want to dispel such illusions.

“Everybody that is concerned in carrying out his legitimate undertaking, casting his or her vote will do so in a secure atmosphere. It’s very important that Nigerians are not pushed to the limit where they will abandon their number one responsibility as citizens. All security agencies are up to the task.”

READ ALSO: INEC chairman meets Emefiele over naira scarcity

On his part, the INEC chairman expressed confidence that recent security measures would further reassure voters, the commission’s staff, service providers, and stakeholders of their safety during the polls.

Yakubu said: “With just 17 days to go, security is a critical moment for the 2023 general election. We want to welcome the assurances from the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence (Staff), the Inspector-General of Police, and (other) security agencies.

“We are aware that additional security has been deployed to our facilities nationwide. We also note the increasing tempo of activities in many troubled spots nationwide.

“We are confident that these actions will further reassure voters, our personnel, service providers, and stakeholders of their safety during elections and a free, fair, and peaceful process. We look forward to a comprehensive plan for the deployment of security personnel.”

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