The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, has assured Nigerians that the 2023 general elections would be conducted in an atmosphere devoid of rancor.
Monguno gave the assurance during his meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and leadership of security agencies in the country.
He advised Nigerians to dispel any form of misinformation, fake news and fear on the conduct of 2023 general elections, saying the election would be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.
Monguno said that the meeting was to look at certain issues that dominated both the political and economic spaces in the country in the last couple of weeks, leading to apprehensions, agitation, fear and uncertainty with regards to the general Elections.
Monguno said that the security agencies were sure of the measures they had put in place.
Monguno said the remaining days to the election would be used to intensify efforts among security agencies for election security.
On his part, the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, restated the commitment of the armed forces to work with the Police and other security agencies to ensure that INEC conducts the 2023 general elections without hitches.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, also assured members of the public that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are fully prepared for the 2023 general elections.
Baba pledged that the security personnel would provide a level-playing ground for Nigerians to exercise their franchise.
In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, welcomed the assurances from security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Yakubu said that INEC looks forward to the comprehensive plan for the deployment of security personnel to their various duty posts.
Yakubu said for INEC, its preparation for the election had gone far as most of the sensitive and non-sensitive materials were already in the various locations nanationwide.
He said training of all categories of ad hoc staff will soon take place and election technology has been tested, mock accreditation conducted and configuration underway.
He said INEC had also engaged other critical national institutions such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with regard to the adequate supply of petroleum products and the arrangement to pay for critical services without any hitch.