Stop inflicting pains, NSA tells IPOB, others

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), has warned members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and others threatening to disrupt the Anambra State governorship election to have a rethink and stop inflicting pains on the people.

Monguno spoke at a special meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said: “I want to offer a word of brotherly advice to our brothers and sisters in Anambra State who may want to use means, methods that are unorthodox and that are unusual to destabilise an already delicate situation to please think again.

“We are all eager to achieve results in this election that will be acceptable to everybody. I don’t think it will be helpful to anyone to go out and ignite something that might cause pains to the people of Anambra State, the good people of Anambra State the peace-loving people, under whatever disguised. Please, think again.”

Monguno added: “We are poised for another all-important national assignment and that is the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

“We all know how important this exercise is, not only to those of us who are supposed to ensure hitch-free exercise, but to the people who are expected to vote.

“This is what we know to be the greatest optimisation of what every citizen should aspire for. It is the number one legitimate expectation and right of every citizen. We must not deny anybody that right to exercise his civic duty; not just to exercise it but to exercise it in an atmosphere devoid of rancor, devoid of apprehension, tension, and all those factors that lead to suspicion and people ending up in courts or even in violence.

“This is what we need to avoid, just like the (INEC) chairman said about the two elections that were held in Edo and Ondo states. We need to do even better than those in order to really earn confidence in society.

“Now, for those of us in security, we have already done most of what we’re supposed to do. All the law enforcement agencies, security agencies, among others, have been charged to conduct themselves in a manner that will command the general widespread respect of all the people of Anambra State and, by extension, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“They have been asked, charged to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, patience, perseverance as well as self-restraint. We have been told to operate within the confines of the law and not to go out on and exhibit tendencies that would jeopardise this exercise.

“I want to reassure the general public that the security agencies are going to do everything within their powers to ensure that the people of Anambra State undergo this exercise without any incident.

“Finally, I want to encourage agents of the INEC. I know you’ve gone through a lot of pain, a lot of losses with your colleagues from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other agencies. Do not allow what has happened in the past to dampen your spirits; do not allow it to drive you into a state of lethargy. Please, continue to support the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and let us get this job done.”

The Name