Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber elections must be credible – Tinubu tells INEC

Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), announced that President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive that the off-cycle elections scheduled for November 11 in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo must be conducted fairly and credibly.

Ribadu made this statement during a meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja, which was attended by Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ribadu assured the INEC chairman that the security agencies are well-prepared for the upcoming elections and are working diligently to meet the security requirements.

“We just have two weeks to the election. Already, a lot of work has gone into preparation. The security interaction is also ongoing,” he stated.

“We want to assure you that we are working on that, fully ready and fully prepared. Nothing is as important as a free and fair election in a democracy. That we can assure you, this government is ready to provide that.”

Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s directive, emphasizing that the President is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.

“This is going to be the first election that is going to be under his watch. He said that we should take this message to INEC and to Nigerians that he is going to be very much available to support you to make sure Nigeria will have free and fair elections,” he said.

“He also said we should tell everyone, including the politicians, there is nothing more important than to have a free and fair election if we want this country to move forward.

“We want to give assurance to Nigerians that this election will be even better than what we have had in the past. This election is going to be free and fair.

“This election will be without interference. This election is going to be without violence. This election is going to be credible.”