“INEC Chairman Addresses Security Concerns Ahead of Off-Cycle Governorship Elections”

The National Security Adviser and Co-Chair of ICCES
The Chief of Defence Staff and Other Service Chiefs
Acting Inspector General of Police
Heads of Intelligence Agencies
Other Heads of Security and Law Enforcement Agencies
Members of ICCES
INEC National Commissioners
The Media
Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me start by appreciating the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for hosting this meeting as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). By doing so, the NSA is maintaining the tradition of alternating the meetings between INEC Headquarters and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). I also wish to congratulate all the recently appointed members of ICCES.

This is our third meeting since the last General Election. You may recall that we met ahead of the supplementary elections held in April this year and again on 28th July 2023 to review the conduct of the General Election. Today, the focus of our attention is on the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States holding on Saturday 11th November 2023.

The three States have 5,409,438 registered voters out of which 5,169,692 have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). Eligible voters will vote in all the 10,510 polling units. However, there are two polling units in Bayelsa State and 38 in Imo State without registered voters. The list of these polling units is available on our website. Similarly, election results will be collated in 649 Registration Areas/Wards, 56 Local Government Areas and three State collation centres. This gives us a cumulative figure of 11,178 voting and collation locations to deploy security personnel in the three States. This is in addition to ensuring a secure environment for the ongoing campaigns and rallies by political parties and candidates, security of voters, the escort of personnel and materials, protection of assets and general security for all persons with legitimate reason to participate in the election and electoral activities.

The three States of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are not the easiest States in Nigeria to conduct elections. The difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of campaign in public on 14th July 2023. Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order. Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process must stop.

However, ultimate responsibility for election security lies with the security agencies. Our message to the security agencies is to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence. This is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities. In doing so, security personnel on electoral duty should remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.

Once again, I would like to appreciate the NSA for providing leadership by ensuring coordination and synergy among the security agencies. We will continue to work together to ensure a more secure environment for elections in Nigeria.

I thank you and God bless.