Months ahead of the off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmuod Yakubu on Friday alerted security agencies that there are ominous signs in form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates in the three states.

Prof. Yakubu drew the attention of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and other security Chiefs at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on the review of the 2023 general election.

“While maintaining strict neutrality, security agencies should take decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process”, he pleaded.

The INEC boss noted that the synergy between the Commission and security agencies enabled the Commission to overcome many of the challenges prior to the 2023 General Election, including the targeted attacks on INEC offices nationwide.

“Indeed, the concern that the perennial insecurity in some parts of country before the election may make our deployment of personnel and materials, and consequently the conduct of polls, impossible did not materialise”.

While appreciating security agencies and other members of ICCES for the largely peaceful conduct of the 2023 polls, Prof Yakubu informed the meeting that he would table some specific security issues of concern which were identified for appropriate remedial action at interactive meetings with political parties, civil society organisations and the media.

Responding on behalf of ICCES, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to Mr President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu promised his unalloyed support to make every election in the country peaceful while thanking INEC for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections.

He said with what INEC is doing especially on the technologies put in place, will bring the credibility of future elections and stabilize democracy in Nigeria.

His word: “We will work for Nigeria and Nigerians at anytime. We will support INEC to conduct peaceful off-cycle elections in November and ensure everything is credible”.