Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Mahmood Yakubu says the forthcoming general election may be canceled due the current serious security threat across the country.
Yakubu laments the fact that the security situation has failed to improve, despite assurances by President Muhammadu Buhari- led government.
Yakubu raised the concern at the validation of election security training resources held in Abuja on today, Monday, saying the security situation will likely have grave impact on the 2023 elections.
Nigeria has been facing renewed attacks on INEC facilities in parts of the country, with many sensitive materials and voter cards destroyed.
“If the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of election results and precipitate constitutional crisis,” Yakubu, who was represented by the chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru, said.
INEC however assured Nigerians that it would leave nothing to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security are provided for election personnel, materials and the voting processes.
“Consequently, in preparations for the 2023 general elections, the commission is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security are provided for election personnel, materials and processes.
“This is particularly significant to the commission, given the current insecurity challenges in various parts of the country and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps members constitute the core of the polling unit election officials. This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen,” he Zuru said.
