THE Federal Government has reassured Nigerians of its commitment towards ensuring that the safe conduct of the forthcoming general elections, insisting that the elections will be free, fair and credible.
Minister of Interior, Lieutenant Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd) said this on Thursday in Abuja, according to a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry Mohammed Manga.
The Minister warned politicians against sponsoring political thuggery and violence in order to ensure peaceful and hitch-free conduct of the elections.
He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to free and fair elections in 2019 and this can only be possible if politicians give peace a chance by avoiding all forms of political thuggery and violence in their struggle to get elected”.
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Dambazau said security agencies have been directed to ensure adequate security of lives and property before, during, and after the general elections in line with the policy direction of President Buhari’s administration.
He reiterated that “it is prohibited for anyone to possess any type of weapon (s) during rallies or elections, the violation of which will attract arrest and possible prosecution.
“The Nigeria Police has been directed to ensure enforcement of law and order during such events”.
He, therefore, advised youth in the country not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians who want power at all cost and might influence them into political violence over little gratification, at the detriment of their lives and future.
He commended security agencies in the country for their efforts at curtailing insurgency in the North East and all other forms of criminalities, while further assuring Nigerians of adequate security visibility to neutralise all forms of security threats that may occur, before, during and even after the general elections.
Dambazau urged Nigerians to remain calm and go about their legitimate businesses as they await the peaceful, free and fair elections.
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