The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno, (rtd) has said his office was fully prepared to counter any separatist group bent on frustrating the November 6 Anambra gubernatorial election.
Moguno gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking at the quarterly meeting of the inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
In a veiled reference to the Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB), the NSA who was represented by Sanusi Galadima warned that security agencies would not tolerate threats to the democratic process.
He said: “With the prevalence of security threats occasioned by different dissident separatist groups in the Southern region of the country, who are bent on scuttling efforts of government in achieving national cohesion and undermining the democratic processes in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria will not tolerate any group or persons planning to impede smooth conduct of elections.
“While acknowledging the constitutional rights of citizens to freely express their legitimate grievances within the ambits of the law, it is also important to state that the Federal government will not abdicate its constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property as well as a secure environment for citizens to pursue their legitimate means of livelihood.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said his Commission has been making efforts to replace election facilities destroyed by arsonists in the South-East state, including the physical facilities.
“As you are aware, our State Office in Awka was attacked resulting in extensive damage to the building and the destruction of critical facilities for the election including ballot boxes, voting cubicles, vehicles, power generators and several non-sensitive materials for the election. I am glad to report that we have made arrangements to replace all lost movable materials. Similarly, we are making efforts to rebuild the physical facilities which will be completed before the election.”
Professor Yakubu further expressed satisfaction that attacks on its facilities have since declined.
