The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that any form of violence during the upcoming Anambra State governorship election will attract a firm and decisive response from security agencies.
Ribadu issued the warning on Tuesday, October 28, in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He was represented by Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the NSA.
He assured that the Federal Government has put in place comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, free, and credible election on November 8. “As we prepare for the Anambra State governorship election, we have put in place robust security arrangements,” Ribadu said. “These include enhanced surveillance, the deployment of sufficient security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.”
The NSA stressed that political leaders and candidates must take responsibility for maintaining peace, adding that security agencies would not tolerate violence or acts capable of destabilizing the state. “Any form of violence during the elections will be met with a strong, uncompromising response,” he warned.
Ribadu also noted that the police and other security agencies have been fully mobilized to ensure adequate protection for voters, election officials, and electoral materials before, during, and after the polls.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s readiness for the Anambra governorship election, saying that all logistical and security arrangements have been finalized. “With just 11 days to the Anambra governorship election, the commission is confident in affirming its full preparedness for the polls,” Amupitan said. “We plan to deploy about 24,000 personnel, with voting taking place in 5,718 of the state’s 5,720 polling units.”
He urged security agencies to sustain collaboration in ensuring a safe and orderly voting environment while warning against vote-buying and voter inducement. “Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate,” he stated.
The meeting, attended by representatives of the military, police, paramilitary agencies, and other stakeholders, formed part of ongoing efforts to guarantee a violence-free and transparent election in Anambra State
