The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General (retd.) Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to political actors against engaging in vote-buying and election-related violence ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council poll and the upcoming by-elections in Rivers and Kano States.
Speaking at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Friday, Ribadu said any individual or group involved in such activities would be traced and brought to justice before, during, and after the elections.
Represented by Hassan Abdullahi, the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the NSA (ONSA), Ribadu urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to maintain decorum and respect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Political thugs and politicians with violent dispositions will be identified and restrained, while vote buyers will be traced and apprehended. Any non-compliance will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law,” Ribadu stated.
He also called on media outlets, civil society organizations, community leaders, and citizens to foster a sense of shared responsibility in safeguarding the electoral process.
The NSA commended INEC for its management of the recent Anambra governorship election, describing it as a benchmark for free, fair, and violence-free elections.
He said the success reflected the “unwavering commitment” of President Bola Tinubu to credible elections across the country.
Ribadu added that the upcoming elections—including off-cycle governorship polls in Ekiti (June 20) and Osun (August 8), as well as preparations for the 2027 general elections—require heightened vigilance by security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Abayomi Shogunle, assured that massive security deployments would guarantee a peaceful voting environment.
The police would maintain continuous protection for INEC facilities and personnel across the country.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, also called for intensified inter-agency coordination, intelligence gathering, and strategic planning to ensure credible elections in the FCT, Rivers, and Kano.
The warnings come amid growing concerns over electoral malpractices and the potential for violence, as political stakeholders ramp up campaigns for the February 21 elections.
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