…urges Edo electorate to vote confidently
…says govt ready to protect voters’ voices
With approximately 36 days remaining until the Edo State governorship election, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that, due to the history of violence associated with some local politicians and their supporters, security agencies are on high alert to address any attempts to undermine the election.
Ribadu, represented by Hassan Yahaya, made this announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters.
He stressed that any effort to disrupt or interfere with the election will be seen as an attack on the core democratic values of the country.
Ribadu added that those planning to disrupt the elections should not mistake the current administration’s commitment to peace for weakness.
“The governorship election in Edo State is about a month away, and campaigns have begun in earnest, albeit with pockets of inter and intra-party squabbles,” Ribadu said.
“Accordingly, given the violent antecedents of some politicians and their supporters in the State, the NSA, who doubles as the Co-Chair of ICCES has warned that any attempt to undermine, interfere with, or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the polls would be viewed as an assault on the very essence of our democratic values,” he said.
The NSA reassured the electoral body that President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to peaceful election was unwavering.
He said, “Those planning to disrupt the elections should not mistake the current administration’s commitment to peace for weakness.
“We will defend the integrity of the polls using every lawful means at our disposal, and anyone attempting to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections will face the full force of the law.
“Law enforcement agencies are on high alert and ready to swiftly and decisively deal with anyone trying to undermine the polls.”
Ribadu told the Edo electorate to vote confidently, knowing that the government is standing with them and is determined to protect their voices.
