FCT election: INEC assures residents of conducive environment

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –

Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election scheduled for February 12th, 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured FCT residents of a secure and safe environment for the electorate to come out and vote on election day.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance at the opening of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), meeting held at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking on the steps taken by the Commission to curb likely security threats and ensure the space is safe for election, the INEC Chairman disclosed that using its technology driven Election Risk Management tool, the Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT), the Commission has identified likely security threats to the election and shared same with security agencies for swift and effective action.

According to Yakubu who doubles as Co-Chairman of ICCES, “is to identify early warning signals that could assist the security agencies and other stakeholders in devising and deploying appropriate mitigation strategies.”

He said; “ among other areas of concern, the Commission focused on threats specific to geographical locations, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the issue of hard drugs, presence of insurgents and armed groups, intra and inter-party conflicts, and incidents of hate speech. The hard copy of the summary of the threats and frequency of incidents is included in your folders for this meeting.”

In order to achieve peaceful and successful elections on February 12, the Chairman further explained that, “the Commission will intensify its engagement with stakeholders, particularly with party leaders and candidates, traditional and religious leaders, transport providers, civil society organisations and the media.”

“We will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming election is peaceful and our processes credible. That is why this meeting is crucial”, adding “Securing the environment is the foundation for a peaceful, well-organised and credible election. This was clearly demonstrated in the peaceful conduct of the recent Anambra State Governorship election. Let us make the FCT Area Council election another shining example of a peaceful election,” the Chairman said.

The INEC boss called on political parties to adhere to the commission’s timelines and timetable and schedule of activities for other bye elections as well as the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states scheduled for June and July 2022, respectively.

“let me once again warn political parties to strictly adhere to the Commission’s timelines for all activities, including the conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates. These timelines are firm and fixed. No deviation or violation will be allowed.”

The Chairman informed members of ICCES that “In addition to the FCT Area Council election, the Commission is also preparing for six bye-elections on 26th February 2022, followed by the Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections on 18th June and 16th July 2022 respectively. In the case of the Ekiti State Governorship election, the period earmarked in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for party primaries ended three days ago on 29th January 2022.”

“All 18 political parties served notices for their party primaries to elect their candidates for the election and invited the Commission to monitor them. One party adopted the direct method for electing its candidate while 16 parties opted for the indirect method. However, from our field report, the Boot Party (BP) did not hold its primary election at any venue known to, and monitored by, the Commission. Consequently, we do not expect the party to nominate a candidate for the Ekiti State Governorship election,” he added.

The National Security Adviser (NSA) and Co-Chairman of ICCES, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) represented by Gilbert S. Tobin, commended security agencies for their level of professionalism exhibited in the Anambra State Governorship Election and urged them to sustain the same in the FCT Area Council Election.

The NSA Congratulated the commission and other stakeholders on the success of the Anambra Governorship election and also on visible electoral reforms that are sharpening the electoral process.

He urged the commission to deploy the expertise used at the Anambra elections to that of FCT.

In attendance at the meeting were National Commissioners, Prof. Sani Kalla, Prof. Adekunle Ajayi, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, Prof. Muhammad Adam and Dr. Baba Bila, Secretary to the Commission Rose Oriaran –Anthony, Director-General of The Electoral Institute, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and some Director