FG deploys soldiers, DSS to INEC offices nationwide

In an effort to protect the assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2023 elections, the federal government has deployed Department of State Services personnel, soldiers, civil defense as well as federal firefighters. staff in INEC offices throughout the country.

He also ordered the security services to improve the collection, sharing and use of intelligence to stem the acts of political violence that have taken on an escalating dimension in recent weeks.

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, who disclosed them during a meeting with the chairmen of major political parties at the Force headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, disclosed that the police had registered 52 violent cases in six weeks.

The meeting, which was attended by People's Democratic Party Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, All People's Congress National Publicity Secretary progressives, Felix Morka, and the leaders of other parties, followed the attacks on the Ogun and Osun state offices of the INEC last week and other incidents of physical violence by supporters of the party in Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara and other states.

Other participants in the meeting included INEC National Commissioner, Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbo; the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; DG, Defense Intelligence Agency, Major General Samuel Adebayo; a representative of the DG, DSS and other paramilitary agencies.

Baba disclosed that the NPF would also work in conjunction with the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Federal Fire Service to take decisive legal action against providers of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilization of thugs and other violations.

He said: "On our side, and as a result of the ICCES meeting, the Nigerian Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, decided to improve the collection information, share it and use it to stem acts of political violence; intensify the deployment of security teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide with teams drawn from the police, of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Civil Defense and Security Corps and Federal Fire Services to take decisive legal action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilization of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Elections Act 2022 as amended.”

He further stated that those already arrested would be subject to prosecution, noting however that despite all these initiatives, it was recognized that the leadership of each political party was essential in eradicating the threat political intolerance, threat, violence and other negative trends in democratic culture.

IG accuses the governors

The police chief also accused some unnamed governors of sponsoring thugs to incite violence.

He pledged to take decisive legal action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, hooliganism and other violations, including prompt arrest , the investigation and prosecution of offenders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

The IG said: "This meeting has become timely following a notable trend within the national political space which, if not promptly addressed, could turn into a threat powerful not only for our national security, but also for the electoral process.< /p>

''Building on past experiences, electoral violence, both in the process leading up to an election and in the fallout from elections, has always posed the most dangerous threat to our democracy. ''< /p>

Continuing his point, he said: “Political violence manifests itself in three forms. First, the violence that targets the personnel and property of the Independent National Electoral Commission, as seen recently in Ogun and Osun states.

"The second form of political violence manifests itself in the form of intolerance and inter-party violence which often becomes particularly pronounced during campaigns, elections and post-election phases.

“It is recorded that no less than 52 cases of politically motivated, intra- and inter-party violence have been recorded in 22 states since the official start of campaigns for the 2023 general election on September 28, 2022.

Baba added: "The latest form of political violence concerns the conduct of certain state governors who exhibit traits of political intolerance which often inflame political tensions. In...