The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has put security agencies on alert, urging them to go tough on violators of the 2023 presidential election peace accord signed by presidential candidates ahead of the February 2023 presidential election.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu drew the attention of security agencies to ongoing violation of the peace accord with just one month into the electioneering campaign.

Prof Yakubu noted that violent attacks on supporters, candidates’ destruction of campaign materials and other violations of the Electoral Act including the denial of opposition parties of the use of public places, urging the security agencies under the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security ( ICCES) and other stakeholders to move quickly to put off the smoke before it becomes an inferno ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He spoke while addressing the quarterly meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja.

The commission called for decisive action against ongoing negative mobilization by political parties before it spirals into bigger conflict during the general election.

He urged that beyond the ugly spectre of vote buying, which reared its head in Ekiti and Osun governorship polls which must be tackled “decisive action against negative mobilisation, incitement and violence during the electioneering campaign” has to be confronted.

“It is exactly a month since the commencement of the campaign by political parties on 28th September 2022, yet the incidents of physical attacks supporters and destruction of campaign materials across the country is worrisome.

“At our consultative meeting two days ago, leaders of political parties in Nigeria also complained about the denial of access to public facilities and exorbitant charges in some States for the use of such facilities for the dissemination of their campaign materials, messages and rallies.

“These attacks and denials are a violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and ominous signs of what will follow as the campaigns enter critical stages.

“They may also be a prelude to violence on Election Day and beyond. We should tackle the smoke before it snowballs into a major inferno.

“The effective enforcement of our electoral law is the best way to deal with the menace. We should work together to ensure the arrest and prosecution of violators of the provisions of especially Sections 92 – 93 of the Electoral Act 2022.

He observed that the vote buying that characterized the Osun and Ekiti has left a lesson which must also be nipped in the bud and commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the prompt action that led to some arrest of perpetrators, adding that both agencies are collaborating on the prosecution of the culprits.

Reacting to the general security situation across the country ahead of the general elections, Yakubu said the commission will continue to share information with the security agencies.

“As the 2023 General Election approaches, we will continue to appraise the security situation in the country and its possible impact on the conduct of elections.

“We are right now working to harmonise our Election Risk Management (ERM) and Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT) for a more effective risk assessment and mitigation measures ahead of the General Election.

“We will continue to share information with the security agencies and most importantly work together to ensure that elections hold peacefully nationwide as scheduled”.

In his response, the National Security Adviser and the Co-chairman of ICCES, Babagana Monguno, said the untoward activities of the political parties since the commencement of the political campaigns have been noted.

Represented by Sanusi Galadima, the NSA said the security agencies will strategise to curb rising incidences of violence in the country, expressing high hope that the second leg of the peace accord in January 2023 will help to de-escalate tension.

While commending ICCES members for their contribution to sustaining the nation’s democracy, he urged a greater sensitisation campaign to an end.

“The NSA has observed the violent dimensions of electioneering campaigns which characterise attacks on campaign rallies, political campaign offices as well as the passing of uncomplimentary remarks and uncouth utterances among politicians which recently witnessed in some States signal potential threats to the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections in February 2023.

“Accordingly, while security agencies strategize new measures to counter the rising wave of violence in the polity, the NSA hopes that the second phase of the signing of “Peace Accord”, by the National Peace Committee (NPC) scheduled for January 2023, will be fruitful in de-escalating the violent trend.

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