Anambra guber poll: NSA reads riot act, warns IPOB, other criminal elements to rethink

*As Yakubu says INEC will proceed with the election

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd), has warned criminal elements threatening to scuttle the poll to have a rethink as security agents are ready to crush any act inimical to the peaceful conduct of the election.

He assured that all security agencies have been mobilised to secure INEC officials and other ad – hoc officials as well as voters.

Speaking during a meeting of the special meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, the NSA also assured eligible voters not to be intimidated but come out enmasse to exercise their civil right.

Monguno, who was personally present at the meeting, said: “I want to offer a word of brotherly advice to our brothers and sisters in Anambra State who may want to use means, methods that are unorthodox and that are unusual to destabilize, an already delicate situation to please think again.

“I don’t think it will be helpful to anyone to go out and ignite something that might cause pain for the people of Anambra State, the good people of Anambra State the peace loving people, under whatever disguise, please think, again, because the law enforcement agencies in as much as to operate in accordance with the requirements of their profession will not sit by idly and allow people to start looting, destroying public property, and resorting to not just intimidation, terrorizing people, possibly arson and even homicide.

“This will not be accepted. Law enforcement agencies have been asked to watch out for such elements. Because what you start, you don’t know how to add. There’s no need embarking on an exercise of self-delusion, futility or some form of tangle.

“Please, I’m appealing to you will all brothers. Stay within your wards your local government and let us have a peaceful election for the security agencies in Ward, any rogue element that decides to behave in a manner that will tie our collective institutions in a very dark colour will be brought to justice in accordance with the rules of those institutions”.

Charging security agents to be of good conduct before, during and after the election, Monguno said: “All the law enforcement agencies, security agencies, etc, have been charged to conduct themselves in a manner that will command the general widespread respect of all the people of Anambra state and by extension, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“They have been asked, charged to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, patience, perseverance, as well as self-restraint. We have been told to operate within the confines of the law, and not to go out on and exhibit tendencies that would jeopardize this exercise”.

In his opening address, INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said INEC is determined to proceed with the Anambra State governorship election as scheduled as security agencies has assured of secure environment for the election.

He said the Commission appreciated the support received from religious, traditional and community leaders for peaceful elections.

“The Commission is also working with the National Peace Committee under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, to bring all political parties and candidates for the Anambra State Governorship election to commit to peace before, during and after the elections.

“We appreciate this wide-ranging support and I wish to reassure the registered voters in Anambra State that the choice of the next Governor lies in their hands. I urge all and sundry to play their part in ensuring a free, fair, credible and peaceful Governorship election in Anambra State”, said the INEC chairman.