ANAMBRA STATE, Nigeria’s south-east hub for commerce, moving closer to the governorship election, on November 6, is under stern security caution. Babagana Monguno, National Security Adviser, has warned those planning to destabilize the election to rethink. He said, the president has been briefed on efforts to ensure peaceful election without destruction of lives and property.
Monguno assured that security agencies would ensure the people of Anambra State elect their next governor without any rancour; and warned security operatives to apply self-restraint in the face of provocation. This was the outcome of the general security appraisal meeting with service chiefs and heads of other agencies, held in Abuja.
“Our intentions, our aspirations are to see that the elections do not result in anything that is unwanted. Any bloodshed, any violence, intimidation, coercion or even terrorising the people of Anambra state. Ours is to instill confidence in the entire South East particularly in Anambra State, to make sure that nothing happens to those people who will come out to vote.
“It is their fundamental right to vote and choose whoever they want as their governor, and they should not be denied that right. More importantly they should not be put in a situation whereby they are reluctant to come out and vote”, Monguno stated
He said security agencies have also been told to exhibit highest level of professionalism, self-restraint, discipline and adherence to what is written in the statute; and make sure they do not allow themselves to be provoked.
Monguno said, they have been made to understand, that they owe themselves responsibility to stay alive. They are not going to go watch, and allow themselves to be harmed. They will work together with the community, and political leadership to ensure nothing theatrical takes place.
“We have been assured by the Commissioner of police and the Armed Forces have put everything in place, to be the second layer, to make sure that lives do not loss”.
Monguno noted the incidents that have been taking place in the South East, which is not peculiar to Nigeria. All over the world, he said, people agitate, but there are ways to realize objectives without resorting to “tactics that are not orthodox”. The president does not have an aversion towards democratic objectives being realized, he further stated.
“Law enforcement agencies have been mandated to make sure that the elections are conducted without rancour. We will behave in conformity with the laws of the land and ensure that the people of Anambra State are protected”, he said.
Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, on his part, urged the people of Anambra State, to come en mass to exercise their voting rights.
