The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, on Friday, decried the rising cases of electoral violence across the country ahead of the 2023 elections.
He said that the country recorded no fewer than 52 electoral violence cases in one month across 22 states of the federation.
Monguno disclosed in Abuja during an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He said “The emergency meeting is very crucial and timely as we approach the 2023 general election. There are issues that have emerged. From my own statistics, I am aware of the fact that within the period of one month, from the 8 October – 9 November 2022, we had 52 cases of violence across 22 states of the federation. This is a bad signal.
“We are all aware of the fact that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is committed to upholding and safeguarding democracy. This is what people want. The President has also given the directive to all operational Intelligent law enforcement agencies to ensure that the 2023 elections are held in an atmosphere void of violence.
“The President is extremely pleased with the outcome of the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States and wants a repeat of such performance; a manifestation of the peoples’ will triumph over any obstacle that might dismantle the democracy that we are trying to protect.”
Monguno, however, assured Nigerians that security agencies have been given a clear directive to prevent violence and maintain law and order across the country.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the security agencies have been given clear instructions to be in charge of any situation in which any group, organisation or institution decides to embark on what we call considered to be a fundamental crime. The important thing is that every Nigerian is allowed to cast his or her vote and the votes must count.
“Those people who have gangsters working for them and have decided to spoil the electoral process, I want to categorically warn you regardless of your party, the law enforcement agencies will deal with you immensely.
“Reassess whatever decisions you are planning. Call your people and advise them that as long as they do not behave themselves in a logical manner, you will be held accountable.
“Therefore, it is important for you to call those people that are desperate to undermine the elections in 2023 to order because the security agencies are already tracking every situation,” the NSA said.
