The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to political actors with violent tendencies and vote buyers, saying they will be identified and sanctioned before, during, and after the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election and the by‑elections in Rivers and Kano states.
Ribadu gave the warning on Friday during the Inter‑Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, as the country prepares for the Feb. 21 polls.
The NSA’s message was delivered by the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Hassan Abdullahi.
“Political thugs and politicians with violent dispositions will be identified and reprimanded or restrained before, during, and after the election,” Ribadu said, emphasising that vote buyers will be traced and apprehended.
Ribadu reiterated that the Nigerian Police Force, as the lead agency for election security, is working with other security and law enforcement bodies to ensure the electoral process is free from disruption.
“Adequate security personnel will be deployed to polling stations and high‑risk electoral wards,” he said.
He urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves with decorum and respect the sanctity of the democratic process.
“Political parties, candidates, and their supporters are therefore urged to conduct themselves with decorum and uphold the integrity of the democratic process. Any non‑compliance will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law,” Ribadu warned.
The NSA also appealed to the media, civil society, community leaders and citizens to adopt a collective role in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
He praised INEC for the peaceful conduct of the Anambra governorship election, highlighting the performance of security agencies in maintaining order throughout the exercise.
“This achievement is particularly significant as the nation prepares for the upcoming electoral events, including the area council elections in the FCT, by‑elections in Rivers and Kano state,” he said.
He noted that additional elections, such as the off‑cycle governorship polls in Ekiti (June 20) and Osun (Aug. 8), as well as the 2027 general elections and ongoing voter revalidation and continuous registration, will also demand high levels of security cooperation.
The Inspector‑General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, represented by CP Abayomi Shogunle, assured that the Nigeria Police Force would mount massive security deployments to guarantee violence‑free polls.
“We will provide constant security for INEC facilities and staff members, during and after the elections,” the IGP said, adding that this is to enable INEC officials to execute their duties without fear.
Earlier in the meeting, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, called on security agencies to intensify planning, deployment, intelligence gathering, and inter‑agency coordination, particularly for the FCT and by‑elections in Rivers and Kano.
He stressed that robust security strategies are essential to protect voters, safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, and sustain public confidence in democratic governance.