Rerun, by-elections: SSS urges peaceful polls today

Ahead of today’s re-run and by-elections in some parts of the country, the State Security Service (SSS) has called on the electorate and participating political parties in the affected states to be of good conduct during and after the exercises.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday by the spokesperson of the service, Dr Peter Afunnaya.

In the statement, the SSS asked the contending parties to shun all acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order and charged politicians and their supporters to adhere to the Electoral Act and election procedure.

The service noted that beyond the elections, citizens must be patriotic and loyal to the nation while public commentators, social critics and key players in the public space should consider the peace of the country over and above their personal or group interests.

“Similarly, the media, civil society and community-based organisations are encouraged to shun divisive tendencies and fake narratives likely to undermine national order.

“It is unarguable that it is only if there is a livable country that individuals, groups or corporate bodies can pursue and realise their legitimate businesses and ambitions,” the SSS said.

The service, therefore, advised those engaging in subversive endeavours or desirous of doing so to desist from such, warning that it would not hesitate to bring defaulters, no matter how highly placed, to face the full weight of the law.

The SS, however, gave the assurance that in the discharge of its mandate, it would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other sister security and law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders to ensure hitch-free elections.

It promised to continue to implement proactive measures to achieve the desired stability in the country.