BY INNOCENT ONYEUKWU
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), has revealed that President Bola Tinubu has given a clear directive that the upcoming off-cycle polls in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo scheduled for November 11 must be conducted fairly.
Ribadu made this statement during a meeting of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES) in Abuja, which was attended by Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ribadu assured the INEC chairman that the security agencies are fully prepared for the elections and are working hard to meet the security requirements.
He emphasized the importance of a free and fair election in a democracy and stated that President Tinubu is committed to ensuring that the polls are credible and without interference or violence.
“This is the first election, that is going to be under his watch. He said that we should take this message to INEC and to Nigerians that he is going to be very much available to support you to make sure Nigeria will have free and fair elections” he said.
“He also said we should tell everyone including the politicians, there is nothing more important than to have a free and fair election if we want this country to move forward.
“We want to give assurance to Nigerians that this election will be even be better than what we have had in the past. This election is going to be free and fair” the NSA stated.
In response, the INEC chairman stressed the importance of security agencies taking decisive action against those involved in electoral violence to guarantee a safe environment for peaceful elections.