The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has warned politicians and their supporters against engaging in violence, vote-buying and other electoral offences ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
Ribadu gave the warning in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as preparations intensify for the February 21 polls.
Speaking through the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Hassan Abdullahi, Ribadu said security agencies were already on alert and would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Police Force, which is leading election security operations, is working closely with other security and law enforcement agencies to deploy adequate personnel to polling units and identified flashpoints across the FCT, Rivers and Kano states.
According to him, security agencies will closely monitor political actors and their supporters, warning that anyone found planning or engaging in violence would be stopped and prosecuted.
He also vowed that vote buyers would be tracked and arrested.
Ribadu urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to play by the rules and conduct themselves peacefully, stressing that credible elections remain vital to Nigeria’s democracy.
He further appealed to the media, civil society groups, community leaders and citizens to support efforts aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
The NSA commended INEC for successfully conducting the recent Anambra governorship election and praised security agencies for maintaining peace during the exercise. He noted that the peaceful conduct of the election reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to free, fair and violence-free polls.
Ribadu said the lessons from the Anambra election would help strengthen preparations for upcoming elections, including the FCT Area Council polls, the by-elections in Rivers and Kano, the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State scheduled for June 20 and Osun State on August 8, as well as preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He also highlighted the importance of the ongoing nationwide voter revalidation exercise and continuous voter registration in strengthening the electoral system.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, assured Nigerians that security agencies would deploy adequate personnel to guarantee peaceful and credible elections.
