The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has warned politicians and stakeholders against violence during the Anambra governorship election, stressing that such conduct will not be tolerated.
Ribadu gave the warning on Tuesday during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held at INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Internal Security, Hassan Abdullahi, Ribadu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to guaranteeing a peaceful and secure atmosphere for the 8 November 2025 poll.
“We are engaging political leaders and local stakeholders to make it clear that violence will not be tolerated,” he said, urging political parties and candidates to promote peace before, during, and after the election.
He added that the Office of the NSA remains fully committed to implementing President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the strategic mobilisation of security forces during the election period.
According to him, enhanced surveillance, sufficient deployment of security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering have been arranged to prevent any attempt by “destructive elements or desperate politicians” to disrupt the process.
Ribadu also appealed to citizens to support a peaceful election “that reflects our shared values and aspirations.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the deployment of 45,000 police officers for the election.
Represented by the Commissioner of Police for the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, at the ICCES meeting, Egbetokun said the deployment would ensure adequate security before, during, and after the polls.
He announced that pre-election deployments would begin on 1 November, with tactical units carrying out clearance operations to neutralise threats and apprehend potential troublemakers.
The IGP clarified that only security agencies officially represented in ICCES—the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the military—would participate in the election.
“No vigilante group will be allowed to play any role in the electoral process,” Egbetokun stated.
Toyibat, armed with an MSc degree in Mass Communication from University of Lagos, is a result-driven media and education professional blending journalism, teaching, and research to engage, inform, and inspire through creative storytelling
