National Security Adviser, Babagana Moguno, on Monday responded to the threat by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) to frustrate the conduct of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
Grassroots.ng reported that IPOB had declared a one-week sit-at-home protest across the South-East states starting from November 5.
IPOB want vowed to embark on a protest if their leader, Nnamdi Kanu is not released from detention on or before November 4.
IPOB’s Media and Public Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a statement issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital, said the protest was aimed at prevailing on the Federal Government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Speaking at the headquarter of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on the occasion of the meeting of the Special Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), the NSA who incidentally is the Co-Chairman of the ICCES said the conduct of the election is a legitimate process and security agencies would not allow any group under any guise to undermine the process in Anambra.
While he advised law enforcement agencies who would be deployed to guarantee the security of lives and property to conduct themselves in a civilised manner, Babangida Monguno however warned forces who have been issuing threats to frustrate the election to have a rethink, in their own interest.
He said: “We all know how important it is for us.
“Election is number one legitimate right of every citizen and we must not deny them that right in an atmosphere devoid of rancour and violence.
“Just like the Chairman said, we need to do better than what we did in Edo and Ondo states.
‘For those of us in security, we have already done what we are supposed to do. All security agencies have been told to conduct themselves well and exhibit the highest level of professionalism and restraint and operate within the confines of the law and not in any way that will jeopardise the exercise.
‘We are going to ensure that the people of Anambra undergo this exercise without any incident.
“We want to offer brotherly advice to our brothers who want to destabilize the process to think again: we are all eager to achieve results that will be acceptable to everybody. I don’t think it will be right for anyone to ignite a crisis. Please, think again. The law enforcement agencies will not sit by idly and allow people to terrorise people, commit homicide, they have been told to watch out for these elements. I am appealing to you to stay in your wards and behave yourself.
“Anyone that wants to disrupt the process will be brought to book.
“Finally, I want to encourage staff of INEC. I know you have gone through a lot of pains, but don’t allow that to dampen your spirit or get into lethargy. I wish you fruitful deliberations.”