The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that there will be an upscaling of intelligence gathering and deployment of joint Security and Safety Teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide forthwith. The teams will include, among others, the Police, Army, DSS, Civil Defence and the Federal Fire Service.
This is coming on the heels of the simultaneous attacks on the Local Government offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abeokuta South of Ogun State and Ede South of Osun State, which made the Commission request an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to consider appropriate responses to the situation. In addition, the meeting also reviewed the increasing incidents of violence during the ongoing electioneering campaign by political parties across the country.
In a release signed by Maj. Gen. Modibbo A. Alkali (rtd) National Commissioner and Chairman, Security Committee of INEC on Saturday 12th November 2022, INEC said that the meeting was co-chaired by the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and the National Secruity Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd). The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, representatives of the Armed Forces, the intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies as well as other members of the ICCES also attended the meeting.
He said: “With 105 days to the 2023 General Election, the meeting noted with grave concerns the recent attacks on INEC facilities in Ogun and Osun States. Similarly troubling is the rising incidents of attacks on supporters and facilities of political parties, ostensibly by political opponents, so soon into the five-month period for campaign rallies, processions and meetings as provided in the INEC Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election. It is even more worrisome that these are happening as several electoral activities that will precede the elections are in progress such as the display of the register of voters for claims and objections nationwide.”
Following extensive reports, reviews and deliberations, the meeting arrived at the following resolutions:
- Security agencies will upscale intelligence gathering, sharing and utilisation of same to stem further sabotage.
- Deployment of joint Security and Safety Teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide forthwith. The teams will include, among others, the Police, Army, DSS, Civil Defence and the Federal Fire Service.
- In addition to the measures already taken for the arrest and prosecution of offenders, the Inspector General of Police, as head of the lead agency in internal security, shall convene a meeting of all political parties, candidates and other critical stakeholders to reiterate the imperative of peaceful campaign and to convey the enforcement measures to be taken against violators.
- Decisive lawful action shall be taken against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022. Those already arrested will face prosecution immediately.
INEC appealed to Nigerians to continue to support INEC and the security agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the 2023 General Election.
