NSA: There are plots to use naira scarcity to create civil unrest during polls

National security adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno claims there are plans to leverage the depreciation of the naira to spark violence during the general election.

Deputy director Sanusi Galadima addressed on behalf of Monguno during a meeting of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security on Tuesday (ICCES).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was praised by the speaker for its commitment to ensuring fair elections.

The NSA stated that despite the peace pact being approved by all of the presidential candidates, his office has noticed a “increase of violence throughout electioneering campaigns around the country.”

This despicable tendency is mostly the result of the behavior of political actors, the thugs they support, and other unpatriotic individuals. This has made it more difficult for security and intelligence organizations to properly combat the banditry and terrorism that are currently plaguing the country, he said.

It is instructive to note that the government is well aware of attempts by domestic subversive forces and their outside allies to create civil unrest during the election by taking advantage of the nation’s socioeconomic situation as a result of well-intentioned government measures.

Security agents have been tasked with ensuring legal deployment to deal decisively with any person or group involved, regardless of their position in society. This is in keeping with Mr. President’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful transfer of power to a democratically elected government through free, fair, and credible elections.

Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, also spoke at the meeting and expressed his confidence that the security agencies would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of people and property before, during, and after the elections.

In addition to our officials and facilities, accredited observers, journalists, service providers, and most importantly, the voters themselves, will all be protected, he said. “The commission is aware of this,” he added.