Category: Lead

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has vowed to prevent incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if he is elected.

He also promised to provide loans for university students.

Tinubu spoke at the APC presidential campaign rally in Damaturu, Yobe State.

Read Also: ASUU seeks increment of education tax to 10 per cent

He pledged to make education more stable.

The former Lagos State governor said he would provide agro credit facilities and make the Northeast region an export zone.

He said: “I will extend the credit facilities to university students as loans.

“I will make our education system, especially the university education, more stable by dealing with the problem of ASUU strikes.

“There will be no more strikes in our universities.”

Details Shortly…

Six of the passengers abducted from the Igueben train station in Edo State have been rescued, with others held in different locations.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, gave an update on Channels.

He said the operational cost of running rail in Nigeria was frustrating due to security threats and the cost of diesel.

According to him, recent attacks on rail infrastructure have attracted about 100 proposals from some rail security experts who are only after enriching themselves.

Giving an update on the efforts made by security agents since the attack on Saturday, he said: “Six of the victims that were held in captivity were rescued and they (security) are still in pursuit of the bandits.

“They are moving from place to place but the security agents are trying to see how fast they can meet up with them and get the other victims released.

“From the information I have, I think they divided those that were kidnapped and took them to different locations.

Read Also: Edo train kidnap: abductors demand N620m ransom for 31 victims

“That is what we are suspecting because they caught one of the attackers and he was able to lead them (the security team) to somewhere where they got six of them released.

“We must also know that it is a security issue, so we must be careful about what we say”

On whether to be optimistic about the rescue of those kidnapped, Okhiria said: “We hope so with the intensity that the security and the community have deployed to ensure that we are not embarrassed, I think something good will happen very soon. We hope so.

“Some people have been out there since Saturday and they are still there.”

On what led to the recent attack considering the security measures put in place to ensure train security, he said: “Nothing went wrong.

“As I said, you plan but there are people who are trying to sabotage the effort.

“At this point, we have not gotten to the peak of the security architecture we want to have in our stations although it is out of the ordinary.

“We don’t have such in other climes in railway operation; a situation in Nigeria where a rail operator has to become a security expert should not be the case.”

Scores of passengers waiting to board a train from Igueben in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State were kidnapped on Saturday night.

Many of the travellers were injured in the ensuing melee.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he cannot be accused of illicit enrichment or acquiring inexplicable wealth while in office.

Speaking on Monday night in Damaturu, Yobe State, he said whoever intends to serve Nigeria must be prepared for the worst.

It was at a state banquet organised in his honour after commissioning a number of projects in the state.

President Buhari reaffirmed that nobody could blackmail him for corruption, saying: ‘‘I do not have one square-inch outside Nigeria.’’

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President restated his vow to serve God and Nigeria until his last day in office and beyond.

He advised Nigerians to remain patriotic, saying: ‘‘As I said more than 30 years ago, we have no other country than Nigeria, we must all stay here and salvage it together.’’

Noting that the most critical security challenge inherited by the administration nearly eight years ago was the potent and pervasive threat of terrorism, the President expressed delight that normalcy has returned to affected states in Northeast Nigeria.

He recounted that the threat was particularly pervasive across the Northeast geopolitical zone with Yobe State as one of the most hit by the terrorists.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Campaign hots up as Tinubu, APC chiefs arrive Yobe

He declared that he has fulfilled the commitment made to Nigerians in his May 29, 2015 inaugural address to frontally and courageously tackle Boko Haram terrorists and stabilize the country.

‘‘In the Northeast, God has helped us to clear Boko Haram, the economy has picked up and some people are asking me about the achievements of my promise to fight corruption.

‘‘Well, under this system, fighting corruption is not easy.

“When I was in the military, as Head of State, I locked up some people because the Constitution says you must declare your assets and people who couldn’t explain the differences in their assets, I locked them up. In the end, I was also locked up.

“So, if you want to serve this country you must be prepared for the worst.

“But one thing that I am grateful to God for is that nobody can blackmail me.

“I do not have one-square inch outside Nigeria and I intend to stay in Nigeria when I retire from public office,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey to the Presidency and re-election, the President said: ‘‘Between 2003 and 2019, I visited all the local government areas in this country.

“In 2019 when I attempted a re-election, I visited every state and the number of people that came out to see who this Buhari is and was is more than what anybody can pay or force.

‘‘So, I thank God that Nigerians understood me and I made a promise that I will serve God and Nigerians.”

President Buhari commended Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State for taking advantage of the return of peace and security in the State to execute people-oriented projects.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has held a strategic meeting with members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) to review the campaign activities ahead of next month’s general election.

The meeting which took place in Abuja, also had in attendance members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council led by the Director-General and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.

The meeting lasted till the early hours of Tuesday.

The Nation gathered that the meeting was held to review the campaigns so far with a view to re-jigging the calendar and the methodology where necessary.

A source close to those in attendance at the meeting who spoke with our correspondent in confidence said: “The crucial meeting was more of a family thing.

Read Also: JUST IN: Campaign hots up as Tinubu, APC chiefs arrive Yobe

“Our presidential candidate, the governors and campaign council members had a review of the campaign so far.

“Our Presidential candidate used the platform of the meeting to appreciate all the governors, especially in the states where the campaign had already taken place and pleaded for their continued support as the electioneering campaign hots up ahead of the general election which is billed for next month.

“The meeting also discussed the next phase of the campaign activities, bearing in mind that February 25 presidential election date is some weeks ahead.

“Areas and activities the campaign council will have to re-jigged we’re also identified and concluded upon.”

Those in attendance include the presidential candidate, his running mate, the Chairman of PGF and governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar(Jigawa) Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Inua Yahaya (Gombe) Yahaya Bello (Kogi) Bello Mohammed Matawalle (Zamfara), David Umahi (Eboyin) and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara).

The Presidential Campaign Council also had its Deputy Director-General (Operations) Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Deputy Director-General (Admin) Hadiza Bala Usman and the Secretary, James Abiodun Faleke.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has arrived Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, for the presidential campaign.

Along with his running mate Kashim Shettima and others party chiefs, he arrived the Muhammadu Buhari Cargo International Airport, Damaturu, which was commissioned on Monday by President Mohammadu Buhari.

Read Also: Why Nigerians should vote Tinubu, Shettima, by Buhari

President Buhari arrived on Monday and commissioned legacy projects executed by the state government and the police.

The President, who passed the night in Damaturu, will join the campaign rally at the August 27 Stadium, Damaturu. 

The APC presidential candidate was on his way to the government house Damaturu From the airport at the time of filing this report.

•‘Ex-Lagos, Borno governors trustworthy’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said Nigerians can trust the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with their votes and the leadership of the country.

The President joined the APC presidential campaign train in Yola, yesterday with a charge to the people of Adamawa State   to vote massively for Tinubu, and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

Buhari also enjoined the people of the state to make history by ensuring that Senator Aisha Ahmed-Binani became Nigeria’s first elected female governor.  

He told a cheering crowd at the Muhammadu Buhari Square in the city to trust Tinubu and Shettima to deliver on their campaign promises.

Tinubu also urged the people of Adamawa to make Ahmed-Binani the    first female governor by voting for her. 

The APC standard bearer restated that he would banish hunger and restore farming in the country if elected President on February 25. 

The rally was attended by   Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu;  Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Nasir el-Rufai as well as  former Adamawa State Governor Admiral Murtala Nyako, former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko, former Gombe Governor Danjuma Goje, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and former Zamfara State Governor Sani Yerima. 

Also in attendance were APC National Woman Leader Betta Edu; Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen; Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadia Umar Faruk;   former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and women rights activist Hajiya Najaatu Mohammed. 

Buhari, who first visited Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo   Mustapha before attending the rally, advised the electorate to shun sentiments and embrace the message of “Renewed Hope” which Tinubu and Shettima are promising.

His words: ”I am delighted to be here today in Yola, Adamawa State, to be part of the campaign of our candidates for different offices in the country, starting from presidential, to gubernatorial, national and state  Houses of Assembly. It is All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom.

“APCfor President! APC for governor, APC for Senate, APC for House of Representatives, APC for state Assembly members.

“I wish specially to thank you for reposing your trust in me and giving me your support during the last two presidential elections.

“I want you to continue with this spirit and remain loyal to our party. I want you to support our candidates at all levels in the state and at the federal level . You can trust Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, our party’s flag-bearer and presidential candidate, together with his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

“I want you to vote for them massively, retain the party in power at the centre, and also return Adamawa to the rank of the progressives. 

“I want you to wholeheartedly embrace the message of “Renewed Hope” on which our candidates and party are campaigning.” 

The President also said that Ahmed-Binani’s track record of dedication to duty and service will improve the livelihood of citizens of the state, if she is voted as governor.

The President therefore, charged the people   to shun sentiments and cast their votes for the female Senator. 

He said: “I am calling on all the men, women and youth of Adamawa State, the Northeast and indeed, the entire country, to support the candidature of Senator Aisha Ahmed-Binani and ensure her victory in March, 2023.”  

Buhari said that the APC had a vision of making Adamawa State more peaceful, progressive and prosperous. 

He added: “Our vision for Adamawa as a peaceful, progressive and prosperous state is strong and enduring. With your perseverance and determination, the APC will make Adamawa a model state in all areas of endeavor.’’

The President admonished youths to remain loyal, patriotic and to behave responsibly at all times by learning from elders.    

Read Also: Tinubu: I’ll be fair to all tribes

His words: “I want you to remain true to our ideals of decency, respect and accountability. You should bear your responsibilities seriously and acquit yourself well in all that you are called on to do. 

“You should all come out and vote in the forthcoming elections, exercise your franchise responsibly and do not allow yourselves to be misled by vain sentiments and idle promises. 

“Let me remind you and the entire people of Nigeria that the eyes of the world will be on you come February and March, 2023. Therefore, do not give in to temptation and allow yourselves to be manipulated.” 

*I won’t renege on campaign promises, says Tinubu

 Tinubu hailed Buhari for laying a solid foundation for the country, which he would build on if elected. 

“Your contributions are positive and enduring. As I have said before, when the history of this period is objectively written, it will treat you very kindly. It will treat you as a true patriot and hero. Thank you for providing the solid and strong foundation. Now, it will be up to the rest of us to carry on and build Nigeria into the finest national edifice we can envision.”  

Tinubu also thanked the President for attending the rally, saying he was deeply moved and honoured by his presence. 

His words: “That you are here and that you have been gracious enough to be our campaign chairman shows your dedication and loyalty as a party member. 

“More importantly, your presence underscores your commitment to progressive, democratic good governance and your belief that our party represents the best hope to lead the nation to the peace, prosperity and development it deserves.”   

Reiterating his agenda for the people of the Northeast, Tinubu said he envisioned a region that is safe, secure, thriving and flourishing.

He added: “I envision productive farmlands that produce food abundant enough to feed the state and help feed the rest of the nation and even export to a world in need of our dynamic contribution to humanity. I envision both manufacturing hubs as well as agricultural hubs that will allow you to produce finished products that will expand the local economy, create jobs and increase the standard of living for all of you. 

“I see adequate fresh produce storage facilities, farm-to-market roads and access routes. I also envision the establishment of commodity exchange boards and credit facilities that will provide the hardworking farmer a guaranteed income for his crops and also allow farmers affordable loans to invest in and improve the productive yield of their lands.

“I can envision these good things, my people, because I have the expertise and commitment to see them become reality.”  

Stressing that he achieved similar feats when he was governor of Lagos State, Tinubu said: “With your help, I will do so again on a larger scale. I have already done the research and have fashioned wise plans. What I promise is real and achievable.” 

Tinubu added: “Give me and Shettima the mandate to achieve this. And we will give you the economy, jobs, and incomes you seek. The power is in your hands. Vote for me; empower me so that I may empower you.” 

Taking a swipe again at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, he said: “I hear that a former vice-president who comes from Adamawa wants to return to Aso Villa again.

“You have to decide whether you owe him your vote simply because he is from here or do you owe yourself a better nation and future? 

“If you believe a better tomorrow is possible, then you cannot support Vice-President Privatise Everything. If you give him the nation, he will sell all he can and leave you with nothing.” 

Tinubu, who described Nigeria  as a  blessed nation with a President  known for his integrity, added: Whatever damage the ‘Poverty Development Party’, has done, we will replace it with joy, prosperity, happiness and employment for our people.”   

“We will get you engaged properly. We will pay attention to your needs. Vote Binani for governor of the state, and when we are elected, we will work together to provide good water, education, health and end killings and kidnapping.’’  

APC National Chairman Adamu and Nyako called on voters to elect   Tinubu as President, and Ahmed-Binani as governor.

The APC  governorship candidate   pleaded with the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, APC stalwart, Nuhu Ribadu and a member of House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas, to join hands with her in ensuring success at the polls and lifting the state to greater heights. 

The President inaugurated some projects, including the International Cargo Airport named after him  by the Fintiri Administration, which declared yesterday and today as public holidays..

After the events, Buhari headed to Yobe State, which today hosts the Tinubu/ Shettima campaign rally.   

Fintiri, Lamido Adamawa hail President 

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri,who accompanied Buhari to the Lamido Adamawa Palace, thanked the President for Federal Government’s interventions in the state.

Fintiri said: ”I want to use this opportunity to welcome you to your second home, Adamawa State.

“We want to thank you for various and several projects in Adamawa. All our proposals for the state have been approved. We will not get tired of receiving you in the state. We will continue to pray for you. We love you and admire you.

“You have done well and surpassed what is expected of a leader. I wish you well and all the best in the campaigns,” 

Lamido Mustapha also thanked the President   for the developments in the state, which include the appointment of Boss Mustapha as Secretary to the Government of the Federation;   Mohammed Bello as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, and Buba Marwa as National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) chairman.

“The people of Adamawa are indebted to you,” the royal father told the President.

More than 7,000 nurses at two hospitals in New York City went on strike early yesterday, forcing the health centres into a frantic flurry to move patients, divert ambulances and scale back other services.

 The strikes, over working conditions,…

 salaries and staffing policies, presented serious challenges to hospitals already facing the “tripledemic” of R.S.V., flu and Covid-19 cases across the city.

 After failing to reach an agreement during a late-night bargaining session on Sunday, the New York State Nurses Association said early yesterday that nurses were on strike at two hospitals: the Mount Sinai Medical Center, on the Upper East Side, and Montefiore Medical Centre in the Bronx.

 “It is time for the hospitals to treat these nurses fairly, with the dignity and respect they deserve, to ensure nurses can get back to serving their communities by providing superior care to their patients,” Mario Cilento, the president of the New York State A.F.L.-C.I.O. said in a statement.

The hospitals rushed to bring in temporary staff and continue operations, even pressing doctors into service to fill nursing shortages. In a statement yesterday, Montefiore Medical Center said the union’s leadership had “decided to walk away from the bedsides of their patients,” despite management’s offer of a 19.1 percent compounded wage increase and its commitment to creating more than 170 new nursing positions.

Read Also: UK strikes hit NHS, postal service, rail, others

Mount Sinai administrators said in an emailed statement that the union leadership had walked out of negotiations at 1 a.m. yesterday morning. “Our first priority is the safety of our patients,” the statement said. “We’re prepared to minimize disruption, and we encourage Mount Sinai nurses to continue providing the world-class care they’re known for.”

Union officials said they were fighting for pay raises to keep up with inflation. They also said hospitals have not hired enough nurses to deal with shortages created by the Covid-19 pandemic and have asked for improved staffing ratios.

“We do not take striking lightly, but that’s what’s going to happen if our bosses give us no other choice,” said Nancy Hagans, president of the Nurses Association, which represents 42,000 nurses in New York State.

The union said that the main sticking point at both hospitals was adequate enforcement mechanisms to ensure safe staffing levels were honored. No bargaining sessions were scheduled for Monday at this point, but the nurses were ready to return to the table, the union said.

On Sunday night, Gov. Kathy Hochul called for binding arbitration “so that all parties can swiftly reach a resolution.” Officials from both hospitals said they would welcome arbitration and hoped the nurses’ union would agree and postpone its strike deadline, but union officials did not accept the offer.

The February 25 presidential election will be used to prove strategic importance of Rivers State in Nigeria’s politics, Governor Nyesom Wike said yesterday.

He said there was nothing to show for the state’s support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, stating that Rivers would no long be dumping ground.

Wike spoke at Elele Civic Centre, where he kicked-off the construction of Elele Internal Roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

He reminded the people that Rivers stood strong in the scheme of national affairs, adding that anybody supported by the state should reciprocate the gesture.

The governor described as unfortunate that instead of appreciating the reality, some people have been busy issuing political threats against the state.

He warned those dishing out threats to have a rethink to avoid problems. 

According to him, Rivers had remained the bedrock of the PDP since 1999, provided the party with bulk of votes and logistics than any PDP state in the country.

The governor boasted that there would have been no PDP without Rivers State.

He said: “Despite the state’s contributions, there is nothing of note, in terms of project that can be reckoned as benefit to justify the support,” the governor said.

Wike recalled that Rivers refused to enter into negotiation with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government as done by other states and did not give President Muhammadu Buhari 25 per cent votes in the 2019 election despite the heavy military presence in the state.

He explained that Rivers ranked above other states and therefore must be treated with respect.

Ahead of the elections, the governor disclosed that some politicians were mounting pressure on the National Assembly to speedily pass the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) N500 billion budget.

He said: “Since the NDDC was established, look at the money that has gone into the commission, what can we show for it? The NDDC has become a cash cow for politicians. The President has just inaugurated the new board of the NDDC.

“You know what is going on now? There is N500 billion budget for NDDC. Election is coming from February 25, Now, what the politicians have done is to put pressure on the National Assembly so that they will pass the N500bb budget for NDDC.”

He explained that some politicians with vested interest in the 2023 general elections had already determined how the NDDC budget would be siphoned at the detriment of the election.

Wike described as regrettable that those overseeing the affairs of the NDDC have been sons and daughters of the oil-producing states, yet, the commission had never deemed it appropriate to seek the input of the state in its budget preparation.

Read Also: Wike to NDDC: stop awarding projects to portfolio, political contractors

He said the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice had been mandated to challenge some perceived fraudulent provisions of the budget, such as the allocation of N60 billion for building a spurious safe haven for a particular security agency and N4 billion for cleaning of gutters, in court.

The governor lamented that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had been rendered redundant, as supervision of the NDDC had become the sole responsibility of the  minister.

Speaking on the project, Wike told the people of Elele that the entire roads network in the town would be reconstructed to serve as part of appreciation for their support to his administration since 2015.

He explained that all the indigenous contractors being used by his administration have shown capacity and assured that no project would be abandoned.

Urging them to support his quest for consolidation by voting Siminialayi Fubara as his successor and Prof Ngozi Ordu as his running mate, Wike assured that the duo will build on the foundation laid by his administration.

Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinima Alabo, said the Elele Internal Roads was awarded to the contractor, Oki & Sons Ltd on the 28th October 2022.

According to him, the nine-kilometre will have six-kilometre drains with three-month completion date.

•Yakubu hints of elections shift in volatile areas

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said elections may be postponed in flashpoints, if the situation does not improve.

The Commission warned that the results of the 2023 polls may not be declared if elections are cancelled in many constituencies as a result of worsening insecurity.

However, the electoral umpire did not mention the areas where polls may not hold as scheduled.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while speaking at the validation of election security training resources in Abuja, observed that nexth month’s election faces serious threat of cancellation if the security situation across the country fails to improve.

Yakubu, who was  represented by the Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru,  said “if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis.” 

The Commission however, assured that it is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security are provided for election personnel, materials and processes.

Mahmood said: “We all appreciate the fact that election security is vital to democratic consolidation through the provision of enabling environment for the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections and thus strengthening the electoral process.

 “This is particularly significant to the commission, given the current insecurity challenges in various parts the country and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps members constitute the core of the Polling Unit Election officials.

“This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen.

“Therefore, security personnel in particular and all election officials in general must be security conscious and alert to unusual activities in their environment and must be fully equipped to deal with any challenge at all times”.

Attacks on the Commission’s offices, personnel and other critical facilities, have assumed a disturbing dimension, especially in the Southeast part of the country.

In Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi states, INEC offices have been razed by hoodlums and gunmen, resulting in the death of personnel and massive destruction of election materials.

The attacks seem to be more prevalent in Imo State, where four offices, including the state headquarters, were attacked by gunmen in less than three weeks.

In the attack on the Commission’s headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, three of the hoodlums and one Police Officer were killed 

Three days after the Owerri attack, another  INEC office was razed by gunmen in Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

In Abeokuta South Local Government Area in Ogun State, 65,000 Permanent Voters Card (PVC) were destroyed when INEC office was set ablaze by armed thugs.

According to INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, “the incident occurred around 1.15am when some unidentified persons overpowered the security personnel on duty and set the entire building ablaze.

“The main building and all the commission’s movable assets in the office were destroyed. They include 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators and 65,699 uncollected permanent voters cards (PVCs).”

The Commission’s office was also attacked in Osun State.

Okoye said: “Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, reported that our office in Ede South local government area was attacked and set ablaze.”

“The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when some unidentified persons attacked the building and set a portion of it ablaze.

“Fortunately, the damage to our Ede South Local Government office was limited to a section of the building and only some furniture items were destroyed”.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba Akali, have read the riot act against further attacks on INEC facilities across the country.

The duo said security agencies have been given directives to deal decisively with individuals or groups working to scuttle the electoral process.

Mungono and Akali also chided political actors over violent clashes at political meetings and rallies.

The security Chiefs spoke at the emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at INEC Headquarters.

Read Also: 2023 poll risks cancellation if our candidates are excluded, Action Alliance tells INEC

The NSA assured that the security agencies have been given clear cut instructions “to preempt and deal with any situation in which any rogue organization or institution the decides to embark on what we consider to be a fundamentally criminal enterprise”.

He said: “I am aware of the fact that within a period of just one month from  October 8, to November 9, we’ve had 52 cases of violence across 22 states of the Federation. This is a bad signal. This is something that we do not want to continue. This is something that’s going to result in a lot of complications. 

“We’re all aware of the fact that the President as far as he’s concerned, he is committed to upholding and safeguarding democracy. This is what the people want. The President has also given his directives through me to all the operational intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the 2023 elections are held in an atmosphere devoid of rancor. 

“Those people who have gangsters working for them, I want to send a very, very clear warning, a categorical and unequivocal warning to each and every one, regardless of whichever political party, including the party of the President, for as long as you decide to scuttle the electoral process, the law enforcement agencies will equally be uninhibited in reacting to whatever actions you have taken.

“You will be visited with appropriate and commensurate response. I want to assure you, and I’m saying this with all sincerity, so those people who feel they have had a history of organizing and controlling groups that have an inclination for excessive, immoderate and  inordinate behavior, I want to send this warning to you, please, reevaluate, whatever contemplation you have been making.

“Call your people and advise them that as long as they do not behave in a manner that suggests compliance with the electoral laws, you will be held accountable. Therefore, it is important for you to call those people and you know the people under your control, those trigger happy hoods foaming at the mouth, desperate to have the opportunity to undermine the electoral process, they will be brought to book.  Already the security agencies intelligence agencies have been tracking these people.”

“This I can guarantee you, you need to do yourself a favor. Call your people, your hoods, talk to them, have a nice quiet fireside chat with them and tell them to lay down whatever plans they have because whoever wins in any state whichever party that wins, that party has won.  This is the intention of the President of this country. There will be no excuse whatsoever. 

“So if you think you can stretch security agencies, I think you’re making a mistake. You need to reconsider your position. Nobody’s going to take any excuse because the security agencies have been directed to behave in the same manner. I think a word is enough for the wise. Those people in the position to call to order these criminal elements, I’m giving you a word of advice, please reconsider your position”.

The IGP said he has directed Commissioners of Police to upscale security arrangements around INEC offices.anf facilities across the states.

According to him, the incidences of intolerance by politicians is a major threat to the electoral process.