The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has pledged its support to security agencies to ensure that the forthcoming election is conducted in a conducive atmosphere.
NGF Chairman and Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara stated this while reading the communiqué issued at the end of the forum’s emergency meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
Yari said the meeting which was held with the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Monguno, deliberated on election security assessment.
He commended security agencies, including Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA),for putting in place necessary arrangements to ensure that the election is violence free.
He sought for stronger synergy between the governors and heads of security agencies in various states to strengthen preemptive measures of curbing election violence and other antisocial vices.
“Members of the NGF are committed to collaborating with all security agencies to ensure that the forthcoming elections are free, fair and are conducted in an environment conducive for peaceful election.
“Governors are however concerned about the proliferation of arms and ammunition, and the spate of kidnapping across the country.
“The forum recommends strong collaboration and intelligence sharing among security agencies in the country to ensure that all lives and property are protected, regardless of individual or group affiliations,’’ Yari said.
He said governors came into power through the ballot and would make sure the forthcoming elections are free, fair and meet the international standard like those of 2015.
“President Muhammadu Buhari did not in any way take the election as a do or die affair, and he has promised that the election is going to be credible.
“We as his representative in our various states are going to ensure that there is enabling environment.
“We will also ensure that we work with security agencies to keep their oath of office, do their work without fear or favour, and apprehend anybody who is trying to cause problem during the election,’’ Yari added.
He explained that the meeting was held following the last council of state meeting where the NSA requested to brief the governors.
Monguno earlier in his remarks warned politicians against arming political thugs during the general election, saying that government would demonstrate zero tolerance to thuggery and illegal bearing of fire-arms.
He said that the Nigeria Police Force had instructed all state commands to arrest anyone who bore fire-arms illegally or engage in acts of violence during the election.
Monguno said that intelligence reports had indicated plans by some individuals and groups to instigate violence during and after the election.
“Reports reaching me revealed that some individuals that are uncertain of their fate in the election are plotting to participate in widespread violence aimed at scuttling the poll,” Monguno said.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the acting Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mohammed Adamu, said that security agencies were ready for the election.
“All the security agencies are going to be professional and neutral in the process of the election. Nobody should be in doubt in the neutrality of the security agencies,’’ Adamu said.
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