Buhari Orders Clampdown on Criminal Gangs Behind Attack on INEC Facilities

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed security agencies to descend on criminals responsible for attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The President also urged INEC to replicate the successes recorded during the governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun in the 2023 general election.

This was as the Commission, for the umpteenth time, yesterday dismissed reports that it was planning to rig the 2023 elections by abandoning the direct and real-time electronic upload of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at INEC Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), said the President has through him given security agencies clear-cut instructions to deal with criminals whose aim is to scuttle the 2023 polls.

According to him, even members of the president’s party found wanting would not be spared. He said: “The security agencies have been given clear cut instructions to preempt and deal with any group or organisation or institution that decides to embark in what we consider a fundamental criminal enterprise. What matters is that every Nigerian is allowed to cast his vote and those votes must count.

“I am aware of the fact that within a period of just one month from October 8, to November 9, we have had 52 cases of violence across 22 states of the federation. This is a bad signal. This is something that we do not want to continue. This is something that’s going to result in a lot of complications.

“We are all aware of the fact that the President, as far as he is concerned, is committed to upholding and safeguarding democracy. This is what the people want. The President has also given his directives, through me, to all the operational intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the 2023 elections are held in an atmosphere devoid of rancour.

“The President is extremely pleased with the outcome of the results in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States. And he wants a repeat of such performance and manifestation of triumph over any obstacle that might dismantle the democracy we are trying to protect.

“Those people who have gangsters working for them, I want to send a very, very clear warning, a categorical and unequivocal warning to each and every one, regardless of whichever political party, including the party of the President, for as long as you decide to scuttle the electoral process, the law enforcement agencies will equally be uninhibited in reacting to whatever actions you have taken.

“You will be visited with appropriate and commensurate response. I want to assure you, and I’m saying this with all sincerity, so those people who feel they have had a history of organising and controlling groups that have an inclination for excessive, immoderate and inordinate behaviour, I want to send this warning to you, please, re-evaluate whatever contemplation you have been making.

“There will be no excuse whatsoever. So, if you think you can stretch security agencies, I think you are making a mistake. You need to reconsider your position. Nobody is going to take any excuse because the security agencies have been directed to behave in the same manner. I think a word is enough for the wise.”