The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba, yesterday revealed that the force is investigating individuals including state governors whose utterances are considered to have incited citizens to riots over the naira redesign policy of the federal government.
This came just as the National Security Council (NSC) on its maiden meeting in 2023 assured that the Presidential and National Assembly elections billed for Saturday will hold as scheduled.
Briefing correspondents alongside the Attorney-General of Federation, Abubakar Malami, after a meeting of the National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he, however, said despite the investigation, the police cannot prosecute the state chief executives because they enjoy immunity.
Recall that many governors led by the Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State had openly denigrated the Buhari policy, asking their citizens not to comply with the expiration of the legality of the old N500 and N1000.
Asked why the governors had not been cautioned, the Police boss stated: “We all know why unless you want to hear from the mouth of the Attorney General. We are investigating, we are investigating. Whoever does anything can be investigated.
“But for him to be investigated, there are some people who have immunity. I think that is some of the reasons. But that will not stop us from cautioning them, from warning them, from advising them, and we are doing so. That’s for the incitement by governors.”
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the meeting was fully briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff, the three Service Chiefs, the IGP, and heads of other security agencies, about their readiness to provide the necessary security back up for Saturday’s poll.
He said flowing from this, the Council gave a marching order that the February 25 election should hold as planned.
According to him, the Council’s meeting was a follow-up to earlier meetings of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Council of States held last week to affirm the readiness of the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Police and security agencies to go ahead with the general elections in the country.
•INEC chairman briefs Buhari on preparations
Earlier yesterday, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, briefed the President on preparations for the forthcoming elections in the country.
According to Buhari, the briefing was at the instance of the Chairman of INEC, adding that it was all part of the efforts that the elections hold successful.
The President hinted at the telephone conversation while explaining his few minutes of lateness to the inauguration and handover of security equipment valued at over N12bn to the military and Nigeria Police Force.
Buhari said he had been grounded by the electoral body for the five minutes he kept the CACOVID group waiting, reminding all that everything needed to be done for a successful election to be achieved.
He said, “I’m being grounded by INEC. You know next Saturday is a great day for us and I take instructions from INEC so that I make sure there’ll be no excuses for the successful election”.
•Presidential candidates sign peace accord
Meanwhile, Yakubu has said the signing of the peace accord remains a critical requirement of the electoral process so that all party candidates will accept their fate at the outcome of the poll.
He made the remarks at the signing of the Peace Accord yesterday at the International Conference Centre Abuja noting that the Commission is committed to a free and credible poll.
Yakubu said, “The signing of the Peace Accord today comes at a critical moment in the electoral calendar. The campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow. The election will hold on Saturday this week. INEC is ready.”
The ceremony was witnessed by members of the National Peace Committee led by Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (retd.), former military head of state, President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon, ex-military head of state, and other dignitaries.
The peace accord was signed by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amongst others.
By signing the peace accord, the candidates; “accept and abide by the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and if issues should arise”, to “deploy constitutional means and appeal to the courts rather than other unconstitutional means”.
Yakubu said the signing of the peace accord was coming at a critical moment in the electoral calendar, adding that campaign for presidential and National Assembly elections ends at midnight on Thursday.
“This is the 3rd Peace Accord to be signed by parties and candidates on the eve of a General Election in Nigeria since 2015 and the 9th overall if we include the Accords signed before the commencement of the electioneering campaign in September last year and ahead of the five off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021 and Ekiti and Osun States in 2022.
INEC explains how election figures will be transmitted
“The commission is committed to free, fair, and credible elections in compliance with the electoral legal framework and the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord. All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the commission’s neutrality. Above all, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count,” Yakubu stated.
Also speaking, former President Jonathan said the peace accord is needed to deter candidates and their allies from using instruments of misinformation to influence the election.
Represented by Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, the ex-president tasked INEC and security agencies with the need to ensure credible elections.
“This is aimed at mitigating disinformation, and misinformation during the election and in the time of the social media era. There is no other time than now given the considerable tension in the country as a result of the election.
“The election is not war. The country needs a stable democracy. The world looks up to us to get our leadership right and leadership recruitment right,” he said.
On his part Gowon, former military head of state, urged the candidates to be “civil in their engagements”, stressing that Nigeria needs a leader who is capable of “bringing and ensuring dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people”.
“I appeal to those who are bent on disrupting the election to reconsider their actions, to allow just and fair resolution to the problems at hand. I wish all Nigerians a peaceful election and smooth transition of government as we had last time,” he said.
“This morning, we commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas nationwide. By Friday, we will activate the Registration Area Centres (RACs) so that at first light on Saturday, Polling Units will open on time.
“The Commission is committed to free, fair, and credible elections in compliance with the electoral legal framework and the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord. All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the Commission’s neutrality. Above all, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count.
“Over the next two days beginning tomorrow, Thursday, the Commission will be holding daily media briefing at 3pm. The briefing will hold at this venue. The purpose is to provide an update on preparations for the elections and to respond to issues that may arise. The briefing is open to political parties, civil society organizations, observers, the media, and security agencies.
“Once again, the Commission appreciates the work of the National Peace Committee and we urge political parties and their candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the Accord”, he said.
He applauded the untiring effort of the National Peace Committee (NPC) for convening this important event saying this is the 3rd Peace Accord to be signed by parties and candidates on the eve of a general election in Nigeria since 2015 and the ninth overall if we include the accords signed before the commencement of electioneering campaign in September last year and ahead of the five off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021 and Ekiti and Osun states in 2022.
