2023 Polls: The People’s Will Must Prevail – National Security Adviser

The National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno, yesterday, assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari, had given a clear directive that the will of the people must prevail in the 2023 general election and that’s exactly what the government would ensure happens during the elections.

The NSA, who further allayed concerns by some Nigerians about the feasibility of the 2023 elections, however, promised that the elections would take place and in an atmosphere that is without intimidation.

According to Monguno, who read Riot Act ahead of the elections, the federal governmentwould not tolerate any political crisis in the states, and therefore warned governors using thugs to prevent opposition from mounting campaign materials in their domains to desist forthwith from such acts as security agencies would soon go after them, adding that governors in such habit were merely suffering inferiority complex.

This is as the Nigerian Police Force, yesterday, warned that none of its personnel deployed to man the inner rings of polling booths should be seen bearing lethal weapons during the elections, even as the Inspector-General, Usman Baba, has vowed that no governor would be allowed to stop opposition rallies again.

Speaking yesterday with newsmen at the State House, Abuja, Monguno, said, “One thing I can assure you is the President has given clear directives that the people’s will must prevail. What happened in Anambra is what we want to happen all over the country.

“Let the people choose their leader, whoever they want, then, later they can decide but in the process of selecting who governs them. We must be mindful of the fact that there are people who are hell bent on forcing or bullying and cornering their opponents is not even a function of you know, numbers or function of money.”

Responding to a question on whether or not the federal government would be able to secure next year’s election, he said, “I hope your question is not a trap. But the elections will take place, we have said that. By the grace of Almighty, they will take place in an atmosphere bereft of intimidation and violence, we’ll try as much as possible to maintain that.

“For those people, who’ve been going around burning offices, killing people, I have already said it, the security agencies have been given that instruction. Visit them with all you have and let them understand that there are consequences for bad behaviour that we are determined. Everybody’s a Nigerian, everybody’s free to do whatever he wants to do, but don’t cross the line and move into another person’s territory.

“That you want to destroy government property, property set up by taxpayers money? How dare you? Who the hell are you? In a normal society, this is not tolerated, and I believe we’re normal society, how can you just on your own, so please, let’s forget that one.”

He said security agencies had been given instructions to give those burning government facilities like the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the treatment they deserve.

According to him, when the law enforcement agencies move, there will be no hiding place for the perpetrators of the dastardly acts.

Monguno, who particularly, reacted to reports of governors implementing policies that prevented the presence of opposition campaign materials in their states, blamed the action on what he called inferiority complex.

According to him, politicians hiring thugs did not believe in themselves, and warned that any person that engaged in any unpalatable activity would be dealt with.

The NSA, who cautioned the governors to rein in their thugs, said President Muhammadu Buhari, had given clear directives that the 2023 election must be free, fair and credible.

He told the governors to “call their Capo regime to order, because when we move, there will be no hiding place.”

On why some governors were not allowing opposition political parties to campaign in their states and even pull down their campaign posters, Monguno said, “Well, it’s not something that is new to us; it’s been like that going all the way back to 1999. And if you want, you can see going all the way back even to the Second Republic, probably the first republic.

“We had a press briefing with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission about a week ago, and we emphasised the need for everybody to operate on a level playing field.

“It’s a big problem. It’s a problem that’s also linked with complex, because if you are really who you are, you don’t need to hire thugs. If you cannot restrain your thugs, the government will do that for you. And you will call on the cabinet and you will answer questions.

“We have a lot of politicians and I’m not being specific about any politician but this virus has to be contained. I have given a clear warning during the press conference that any politician,who engages in any activity and unpalatable activity, the use of thugs and I know we have a lot of thugs, political thugs, straining at the leash, foaming at the mouth, desperate to buy blood.

“But we’re going to apply everything within the powers of the government. And I’m not saying that we’re going to just operate in a manner that is not regulated. The government is not going to embark on anything that is, you know, uncontrolled. We will operate on the straight and narrow confining ourselves to legality that I can assure you the President’s directives. And we’re working on that.

“So those elements, who think they can deny other people the air to breathe – the political air to to breathe and reach out to the local community. So, they have another thing and I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again.

“These political elements should call the thugs of that capo regimes to order. They should have a nice quiet fireside chat with them, and advise them that when the law enforcement agencies come, they’ll be dealt with.”