By TINA TIMOTHY

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that it will conduct transparent and credible elections in 2023 despite attacks, the most recent being the simultaneous attacks on its local government area offices in Abeokuta South (Ogun State) and Ede South (Osun State) on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance during an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held in Abuja on Friday, November 11. He, however, expressed worry that if no urgent and decisive steps are taken, the attacks would intensify as the country approaches the election date.

His statement reads in part: “Two developments this week necessitated this meeting. First, the simultaneous attacks on our Local Government Area offices in Abeokuta South in Ogun State and Ede South Local Government office in Osun State. The attack in Abeokuta South happened around 1.15am while that of Ede happened around 6.00am yesterday Thursday 10th November 2022. Our immediate conclusion is that they may not be isolated, but we leave this determination to the security agencies who are investigating the incidents. Secondly, the spate of attacks during electioneering campaigns by political parties is increasing rather than decreasing.

“The Commission is worried that if no urgent and decisive steps are taken, the attacks will intensify as we approach the election date. As we all know, a peaceful campaign heralds a peaceful election. We need to take decisive steps to stem the ugly trend. “The Commission wishes to reassure Nigerians that we remain committed to delivering credible elections in spite of the challenges. The attempt to sabotage or weaken our resolve will not deter us from conducting transparent elections in which only the votes cast by Nigerians on Election Day will determine winners of elections.”

Calling on members of the ICCES to move swiftly to apprehend perpetrators and bring them to book, Yakubu also urged the political class to rise to their critical role in ensuring peaceful elections, adding: “Nigerians are watching us. The world is watching us. We must never disappoint them.”

Continuing, the INEC boss said: “As a body, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) brings together security, safety and other agencies responsible for securing the process and ensuring peaceful elections in Nigeria. Understandably, Nigerians expect a decisive action from ICCES. It is important that we move swiftly to apprehend perpetrators, prosecute them as required by law and reinforce security around election officials and electoral infrastructure around the country.

“As we have stated on several occasions, election is a multi-stakeholder activity involving not just INEC and the security agencies. The political class plays perhaps the most critical role in ensuring peaceful elections. We must all rise to the occasion. Nigerians are watching us. The world is watching us. We must never disappoint them.”