INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has expressed concern over the escalating violence in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states leading up to the November 11 governorship elections.
He raised the alarm during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stating that there have been “ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates.”
Yakubu called on security agencies to take decisive action against those responsible for violence and other undemocratic activities like vote buying, attacks on election officials, and disruptions of the electoral process. He emphasized the importance of learning from past challenges to ensure improved performance in future elections, including the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle governorship elections in the mentioned states.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also attended the meeting and pledged unalloyed support to ensure peaceful elections in the country. He commended INEC for its efforts in implementing election technology, stating that it would enhance the credibility of future elections and contribute to stabilizing democracy in Nigeria.
