President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the nation’s security agencies to dominate Anambra State and ensure the people get the confidence to exercise their right to vote.
This followed a meeting of security and intelligence chiefs he presided over at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, said the meeting deliberated on the November 6 governorship electron and resolved to put every machinery in motion to make it a free and fair exercise.
He said this is the only way to promote democracy and ensure good governance in the country.
Fielding questions, the minister said: “Well, quite a lot of things have transpired. In particular, we talked about the Anambra governorship elections, which is coming up on November 6. And we want to assure the people of Anambra State and indeed all Nigerians, that the government is committed to conducting the elections, and it has to be free and fair.
“We are going to put every machinery in place to ensure that people are well secured. And we are going to dominate the place to ensure that the place is calm and quiet, to provide for free and fair elections. And that is the only the way to ensure that we promote democracy and good governance in this country.”
He assure that massive deployment of troops during the exercise would give confidence to voters and prevent criminal elements from having their way.
When told that the deployment may discourage voters, Dingyadi stated: “No, no, no, the intention is to give people confidence that they are well protected from this IPOB people. People are not coming out because of the threats by IPOB.
“And as long as we try to dominate the area, IPOB will have no place to manoeuvre and they will take charge of the place to ensure that there is peace, there is tranquillity in the area to allow for free and fair elections in the state.”
On bandits regrouping in Sokoto State, he said: “Well, we looked at that, and the reports coming in are indicating that even though the bandits are there, but they’re moving towards areas where there are no communications that they can talk to people.
“But the situation is improving even in those areas. Of course, the situation is still not as good as we except it to be. But we are on top of the situation.” – Tribune.
