By JOSEPH ERUNKE
ABUJA – National Security Adviser,Col. Sambo Dasuki, (rtd), has reasoned that there could be violence in the 2015 general going by the prevailing security situation in the country.
ABUJA – National Security Adviser,Col. Sambo Dasuki, (rtd), has reasoned that there could be violence in the 2015 general going by the prevailing security situation in the country.
But unlike the 2011 violence which came after elections, the NSA said the violence which may trail the 2015 polls would be carried out before and during the election exercises.
“There could possibly be violence, but with a different angle to it, not post election but before and during, because of the prevailing security situation, unless the security situation gets better before then”, he said.
National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki,rtd
The NSA spoke Wednesday, in Abuja, at the opening of a two-day workshop on security challenges in elections management, organised by INEC in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert –Stiftung , an independent German non-profit institution committed to the promotion of democracy , peace , and social justice.
The competition among politicians may be intense in 2015,so more tension should be expected”, he noted.
He said Nigeria can get anything right when there was the determination and political will on the part of critical stakeholders to achieve just as he noted that if there would be problems in the 2015 poll, it would not be because of lack of adequate preparation or compromise on the part of security agencies.
Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, speaking at the occasion, reiterated his commitment for conduct of a free and fair elections in the 2015 general elections.
He hinted that the commission was doing its possible best to conduct credible elections that will be in line with international standard.
He said his organisation must get it right in the 2015 elections , adding that his team was working relentlessly to avoid blame in future elections.
The workshop which had “Challenges in Elections management: Matters arising from 2011 and anticipating 2015″ as its theme, according to Jega, was aimed at preparing all security agencies involved in election conduct so that they would ensure a smooth conduct of the 2015 general elections, devoid of violence and thugs.
Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in his speech, thanked INEC for coming up with the workshop, saying the development would prepare security agencies for management of election matters even as he wished the post election violence experienced during the 2011 elections never happened again.
“The timing of this workshop, approximately three years ahead of the general elections, compared to the previous workshop where he had only a year earlier, would definitely place all the state holders at vantage position, to prepare very well,despite the emerging and daunting security challenges presently faced by the country”, he said.
He said the Nigeria Police in collaboration with all other security agencies ,would continue to improve on their commitment and performance as far as the security of election was concerned.
Resident Representative, Friedrich –Ebert Stiftung Nigeria , Mr Thomas Mattig said the workshop was a further step in the two years of partnership between INEC and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung .
Resident Representative, Friedrich –Ebert Stiftung Nigeria , Mr Thomas Mattig said the workshop was a further step in the two years of partnership between INEC and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung .
He further explained that the workshop was put together to give experts the opportunity to present research findings, and share experience and to listen to the views of security agencies on security challenge in previous election.
He equally observed that the more people participate in the polls and protect .their votes, the easier it will be to fight corruption and under development.
