WorldStage Newsonline– Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has cautioned political actors and their supporters in states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where elections are scheduled, to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold democratic values.
Speaking during the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, Ribadu stressed that electoral violence and malpractice will not be tolerated.
He said, “Any form of electoral violence or malpractice has no place in our elections,” Ribadu stated. “Our collaborative efforts have been the mainstay of maintaining peace and order during elections, and we will continue to build on that.”
The meeting comes ahead of the FCT Area Council elections, bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies, and the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November.
Ribadu emphasized that the primary goal of the security agencies is to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“We must ensure that eligible voters exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation,” he said.
He noted that security and law enforcement agencies would intensify collaboration, enhance intelligence gathering, and act swiftly on potential threats particularly in states facing challenges from non-state actors who may be exploited by desperate political interests.
He said, “The security component of ICCES will pre-empt and respond to threats through real-time intelligence, especially in areas prone to disruption,” Ribadu said. “We’ll also sustain dialogue with party leaders and candidates to promote understanding and reduce tension.”
Also speaking at the meeting, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, listed the elections scheduled between now and February 2026.
He called on security agencies to ensure safe and secure environments for the conduct of these elections.
Yakubu also highlighted the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) as an opportunity for stakeholders to fine-tune their security and logistical preparations.
The upcoming bye-elections will take place in 12 states, followed by the Anambra governorship election in November, while the FCT Area Council elections are slated for early 2026.
