Security threats becloud off-cycle election in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi
…As mixed reactions trail safety assurance situation
…We’ll deal decisively with any noise maker — Defence Minister
…Army, DSS identify, warn threat actors
…Insecurity creates an atmosphere of fear — IPAC calls stakeholders to desist from violence
…Political actors trade words, raise counter allegations
By Moses Adeniyi
Although the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, on Thursday assured residents and electorate of safety in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi where off-cycle elections would be conducted on Saturday (tomorrow), threats have been identified with warnings issued by security agencies including the Nigerian Army and the Department of the State Services (DSS) against non-state actors planning to disrupt the polls.
The Defence Minister on Thursday in an interview in Abuja said, “Adequate arrangements have been made for security agencies to deal decisively with any noise maker and anyone who wants to foment trouble or crises during the elections.
“The military will be available, ’24/72 , for anyone who wants to contact them.
“I, particularly, will be in the office within the period of the election so as to ensure safety in the three States. We shall protect the people.
“We shall ensure that the three States will be safe and the people protected.
“I assure Nigerians that the elections will be held amicably; nothing will happen to anyone. The elections will be conducted in these States peacefully.”
…DSS warns CSOs against inflammatory comments
Meanwhile, ahead of the Saturday elections, the Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other actors against what it described as comments that “will inflame sentiments and cause a breakdown of law and order,” regarding the elections in three States.
The DSS warned that individuals or groups that would engage in illegitimate acts or inimical conducts to public order would be decisively dealt with as dictated by the law.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya on Thursday the DSS service had observed rising trends and patterns of incendiary comments by some personalities of influence and representatives of non-governmental entities within and outside the country.
The secret police said such statements run against public peace and harmony, saying, “It is strongly believed that a resort to acerbic pronouncements by certain persons will not only heat-up the polity but set the ground for deep-seated animosities and divisions among the populace.
“Also, it serves the country no good if its own citizens, whether at home or abroad, demarket or subvert her through misleading and false narratives.
“With the elections and the attendant contentions legally over, it is expected that we should forge ahead in nation building without rancour or acrimony.
“This is against the backdrop that reckless rhetorics have the capacity to lead to social unrest and instability, which can put the country’s well-being and the general safety of citizens at risk.”
The department urged key players in the elections and their supporters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to conform to the rules of engagement during the Saturday gubernatorial elections in the areas, mentioning the idea was to avert situations likely to undermine the processes.
The DSS said it had liaised with INEC, sister security agencies and relevant NGOs to ensure hitch free exercises in the affected states.
The DSS called on stakeholders, irrespective of their political affiliations or grievances, to engage in respectful and constructive conversations that promote collective understanding.
“It has thus become imperative that public commentaries should shift towards unity and peace necessary for national development and security.
“Those on election duties, including the media and civil society, are encouraged to avoid things that will inflame sentiments and cause a breakdown of law and order.
“Broadcast and monitoring activities should be devoid of manipulations.
“Stakeholders are enjoined to note that politics should not be used to destroy the country or any part of it,” the DSS added.
….Army uncovers plans by non-state actors to wear military uniforms to disrupt election
This is just as the military high command said it has uncovered a plan by some non-state actors to wear military uniforms to disrupt elections in some areas where elections would be held.
The Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, made the disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, mentioning the military has massively deployed personnel for the off-cycle elections on Saturday.
He warned such actors seeking to disrupt the election to shelve the plan or face an “injurious consequence” for such actions.
Buba, who said the military would not fold its arms and watch its image dragged into the mud, said, “For the off-season elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States this weekend. Here is a message for you. The military is deployed in strength for the election to create a safe environment for voters to peacefully come out and cast their votes.
“Election is a serious business and the military is giving it the seriousness that it deserves. So much has been put in place. Troops and platforms are being moved to those locations to reinforce security that is in place in the states. We are aware of the plans.
“However, we are aware of plans of some to disguise in military gear to orchestrate havoc and disrupt elections in some areas. Our message to such a group is that there will be injurious consequences for such an action. The military will not fold its arms and watch its image dragged into the mud.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday continued with distribution of election materials, declaring readiness for the polls.
In Imo, the Commission distributed electoral materials to all 27 Local Government Areas of the State ahead of Saturday’s polls.
The Commission disclosed that elections would take place in all the Local Government Ateas in the State having been assured of topmost security by operatives.
…Political actors trade words, raise counter allegations
Meanwhile, political actors have raised concerns over possibilities of foul play with allegations and counter allegations of harassment.
For instance, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to abandon any plan of rigging the governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Thursday, said they have mobilised the people of the three states to go to every length allowed by the law to protect their votes.
He restated that the PDP will never allow anybody, no matter how highly placed, to manipulate the electoral process in the governorship election in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa States.
Ologunagba, who declared that anybody who attempts to manipulate the election will have to deal with the legitimate wrath of the people, cautioned Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to accept the decision of the people.
The PDP publicity scribe also said that all indices from several entrance polls indicated that the party’s candidates are leading and will sweep the governorship election in the three states.
Ologunagba warned that any electoral trajectory that does not reflect the clear tide of the will of the people at the polling units will be firmly resisted.
The statement read partly, “Meanwhile, the PDP cautions that the delay by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu, is heightening tension and capable of pushing the people to resort to self-help.
“We are in a democracy and INEC must respect the wishes and aspirations of the people and stakeholders in the electoral process. The people of Imo State have spoken clearly in demanding that Prof. Agu must not participate in any capacity whatsoever in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State, given her antecedents in favoring the APC in previous elections.
“The PDP is marching to victory with the people of Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States notwithstanding the antics of the APC.”
On another ground, the governorship candidate of the APC in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, called on security agencies to release chieftains of the party who he alleged were arrested in Kogi East on Tuesday.
Ododo said the APC chieftains that were arrested were noble people with no questionable character, and had no reason to engage in thuggery or other vices.
He added that the raid on their residences and destruction of property were sources of concern for the party.
“Just this morning again, about seven of my members were picked from my community. I don’t breed thugs because I don’t condone criminality. The security agencies should carry out their investigations and release our people with immediate effect,” he said.Ododo, who spoke to journalists in Lokoja, said that those who already knew they would lose were the ones inciting violence and levelling baseless allegations.
He called on the security agencies to be fair to all and ensure the security of lives and property before, during and after the Governorship election.
“My members have been arrested, some of my leaders, even in my community, this morning, they have picked not less than seven of my members. I allowed them to do their work. I will not interfere with their investigation.
“I believe by the time they are done with their investigation and none of them is found guilty, they will be released. I have been invited severally by security agencies, I have been honouring their invitation, not once, not twice, and I’m ready to honour their invitation at any point in time. I don’t breed thugs. I have advised my followers not to engage in criminality because I don’t condone it.
“My members that they have picked, I still base it on allegations. Let them do their investigations and I believe they will do that without bias. As soon as they are done, they will be released.
“But in a situation where security agents are harassing and detaining my members without saying what offence they have committed, I want to call on them to release them and face those criminals that went to Kotonkarfe to kill an APC supporter and get them arrested.
“That is what they should focus on and not the law-abiding members of our party. So I call on them to hasten their investigations and release our members immediately,” he stated.
…Insecurity creates an atmosphere of fear – IPAC, calls stakeholders to desist from violence
On its own part, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) noted that insecurity, whether stemming from insurgency, banditry, or other forms of violence, creates an atmosphere of fear, but urged voters in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa to resist actions that could undermine the democratic principles guiding the election on Saturday.
In a press conference on Thursday, the National Chairman of IPAC, Engr Yabagi Sani, emphasised that a vibrant democracy depends on active citizen participation, informed decision-making, and trust in the governing institutions.
“Rebuilding this trust requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society, and the media,” he stated, raising concerns about the erosion of trust in the democratic process in Nigeria, which he attributed to increasing political apathy and insecurity.
“Insecurity, whether stemming from insurgency, banditry, or other forms of violence, creates an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty which not only jeopardises the safety of citizens but also undermines their confidence in the government’s ability to provide security and maintain law and order,” he said.
To restore faith in the electoral process, IPAC introduced an innovative intervention through the Election Results Management System (ERMS).
Sani announced that the ERMS Collation module would commence operation on election day, November 11, 2023, and is capable of displaying the results on its official website.
He further explained that the collated results would be ahead of those of INEC at the Ward, LG, and State Collation Centres.
However, Sani called upon political parties to be more patriotic, stating that the activities of political actors perceived as corrupt and prioritising personal gain over the public good fuel disillusionment and cynicism.
He also underscored the importance of transparent electoral processes and holding political actors accountable for their actions as crucial steps in restoring faith in Nigeria’s democracy.
The IPAC Chairman admonished INEC to work diligently in persuading security agencies to play by the rules of engagement, emphasizing their involvement in the electoral process must be based on professionalism, neutrality, and a commitment to the defence of democracy.
Sani also urged that the citizens should feel secure in their participation in the electoral process, knowing that their safety and security are assured.
