A few days before the general election, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the assurance of safety by the Nigeria Police Force thus far was encouraging.

Yakubu stated this at a meeting with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was the last before the commencement of the general election, was aimed at fine-tuning the security agencies’ preparation for the protection of the environment in which elections would be conducted.

The INEC chairman said security agencies would not only protect the commission’s staff and facilities, but the protection would extend to voters, election observers, journalists and others involved in the electoral process.

Yakubu explained, “The Nigeria Police, which is the lead agency in election security, is already familiar with the delimitation details on the basis of which security personnel are deployed for elections. And since the Nigeria Police as the lead agency are also coordinating with other security agencies, I take it that other security agencies are also aware of the delimitation details.

“The commission is encouraged by the assurances of security in all locations where elections and electoral activities will be conducted. Importantly, the commission is aware that security agencies are going to protect not only our officials and facilities, but also accredited observers, journalists, service providers, and above all the voters themselves.

“So, this meeting is really an opportunity for us to fine-tune our preparation for the protection of the environment in which election will be conducted, but also the security of all those involved in the process, ranging from any officials, the facilities we are going to use for the election, as well as all those who have legitimate business to be part of the electoral process from the observers to journalists representing various national and international media organizations, to service providers by transporters, and others but above all, the voters will have their votes in about 177,000 locations nationwide on Saturday.

“So, I welcome [you] into this very crucial meeting. The last meeting before the national elections. We may have a review meeting before the state elections but it is going to be the last week and our commitment is to ensure that the environment is conducive for the conduct of elections and we do it in such a way that guarantees the safety and security of all those who are involved in the process.”

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, assured Nigerians of free, fair and credible election.

Monguno, who was represented by Sanusi Galadima, noted that there had been rising protests as some Nigerians were exploiting the current situation in the country.

He, however, said “…presidential candidates must seek demonstration of peace.

“We will ensure a peaceful transition of power to the democratically elected candidate.”

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