Nuhu Ribadu: There’ll be severe consequences for disrupting off-cycle elections

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), has warned those planning to disrupt the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states on Saturday to have a “rethink”.

Zakari Mijinyawa, head of communications at the office of the NSA, said in a statement on Friday that Ribadu also cautioned political actors against causing violence and urged security agencies to maintain professional standards during the elections.

Mijinyawa said the NSA assured that all agencies are prepared to ensure safety and security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to hold credible elections.

“The NSA, who is the Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security charged all security, intelligence and law enforcement officers deployed on election security duties to conduct themselves creditably,” the statement reads.

“The NSA further stated that the Federal Government has mobilized all the required resources for the smooth conduct of the elections and called on all election managers to adhere strictly to the instruction given by the President.

“Ribadu further warns that a monitoring system has been established with monitors deployed to the field to collect any evidence of violence and irregularities.

“The NSA vows that there will be severe consequences for anyone who is found to have disrupted the conduct of elections or abused his authority.

“He admonishes voters in the three states to come out en masse to exercise their franchise assuring them of adequate protection.”