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  • Guber Poll: INEC, NSA issue warning to politicians, supporters against violence

    Guber Poll: INEC, NSA issue warning to politicians, supporters against violence

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, have warned politicians and their supporters against causing violence  that could  disrupt the smooth conduct of the governorship and state Assembly elections coming up on the 18th of March.

    According to the NSA, anyone caught disrupting the election by any means will be severely dealt with by the Federal Government.

    Both parties issued the warning, yesterday during the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.

    According to him, unlike the first round of elections involving 470 constituencies, Saturday’s election will involve 1,021 constituencies.

    The INEC boss said the election would require more collation centres and will need the deployment of more security personnel.

    His words: “ Governorship elections will hold in 28 states. Governorship elections in eight states (Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun) are held off-cycle and therefore not conducted during the general elections. However, elections will be conducted for all the 993 state constituencies nationwide.

    “Our state offices have made available to the Nigeria Police Force, being the lead agency in election security, the delimitation details for the elections, including locations of Polling Units and Collation Centres. On that basis, we expect a coordinated deployment plan in synergy with other security, intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies.

    “Unlike the last election involving 470 constituencies (1 Presidential, 109 Senatorial districts and 360 House of Representatives seats), the state elections will involve 1,021 constituencies (28 governorship and 993 state Assembly seats). There will also be more candidates involved and more collation centres to protect.

    “They are also local elections involving keen contests. It is, therefore, important for parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war. They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers,” he said.

    On his part, Monguno urged politicians, especially at the state level to demonstrate equal level of maturity and discipline by calling their supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.

    “Anybody thinking to undermine the process should please think again because that won’t be in his or her interest or the nation’s interest.”
    MIKE Igini, a former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom State, said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned optimally in the presidential election, despite observed technical glitches.

     

  • 2023: Fear as NSA alleges plots to use Naira scarcity to cause mayhem

    2023: Fear as NSA alleges plots to use Naira scarcity to cause mayhem

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno has said that there are some subversive elements plotting to use the current socio-economic climate created by the naira redesign policy to cause mayhem in the country.

    He, however, warned politicians to desist from exploiting the ongoing economic challenges in the country, to cause trouble before, during, and after the 2023 general elections.

    Monguno, who was represented by a deputy director in the NSA office, Sanusi Galadima, at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja on Wednesday, noted that the actions of some politicians have led to violence in some states.

    He maintained that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the 2023 general elections are peaceful and credible, and will not allow any individual or group to subvert the process.

    “It is instructive to state that the government is very much aware of plots by domestic subversive elements and their external collaborators to use the current socio-economic climate in the country due to well-intended government policies to ignite civil unrest during the election.

    “To this end, in line with Mr. President’s commitment to ensure a peaceful transition of political power to a democratically elected government through free, fair and credible elections, security agents have been charged to ensure lawful deployment to deal decisively with any individual or group involved, no matter how highly placed,” he said.

    Members of the committee held the meeting barely four days before the Presidential and National Assembly elections to review the security situation before the Saturday’s elections.

    Security has been a major concern for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), causing the management to hold several security meetings with heads of security agencies in the past three months.

    The 2023 general elections will kick off on February 25 with the presidential and National Assembly polls, and many hope that the entire process will not only be credible and inclusive but will also be peaceful.

  • Naira swap/cashless policy may affect troops in the fields – NSA

    Naira swap/cashless policy may affect troops in the fields – NSA

    The National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Monguno (rtd), has said that the change of currency and cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), if not well thought out, may affect operations of troops in the field.

    Monguno made the observation when he appeared before an Ad hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on change of currency and cashless policy on Thursday in Abuja.

    Represented by the Head of Defence Unit, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, the NSA said that even in advanced countries, such policies could affect operations of troops if not well implemented.

    “Because of the sensitivity of some of this information that will come and bordering on security, there are things we cannot say in the media.

    “Globally, military operations, even in first world countries, such policies, if not well properly thought out, will affect some certain operations.

    “Some of our soldiers are deployed in places where they cannot actually access digital means of paying for their daily subsistence; that is the main issue that NSA has been talking about.

    “It is important that this committee sits down and articulates better ways of actually addressing these issues,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ado Doguwa (APc-Kano) said that the committee was intrested in the implications of the policy on national security.

    He said that the committee would interface with major stakeholders to determine the effect of the policy on the economy.

    Doguwa said that from what the committee had so far gathered, the policy posed a challenge to agriculture, economy and security.

    According to him, it is unpopular among the people, it has caused hardship and it may affect the forthcoming election.

    Doguwa adjourned the meeting to Feb. 10 for the committee to meet with the Minister of Finance and the leadership of Printing and Minting as well as INEC boss.

  • 2023 elections will be rancor free – NSA

    2023 elections will be rancor free – NSA

    The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, has assured Nigerians that the 2023 general elections would be conducted in an atmosphere devoid of rancor.

    Monguno gave the assurance during his meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and leadership of security agencies in the country.

    He advised Nigerians to dispel any form of misinformation, fake news, and fear on the conduct of 2023 general elections, saying the election would be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

    Monguno said that the meeting was to look at certain issues that dominated both the political and economic spaces in the country in the last couple of weeks, leading to apprehensions, agitation, fear, and uncertainty with regards to the general Elections.

    “We are all aware of the current situation in the country. There is a need for me to reassure citizens of this country that whatever fears, whatever agitations we have I would want to dispel such feelings.

    “The 2023 elections will go on in a climate devoid and bereft of rancor. The security agencies have done a lot in the last couple of months to put things in place.”

    Monguno said that the security agencies were sure of the measures they had put in place.

    “We are not in anyway in doubt what the situation of the country is but we need to let the entire country know that agents of bad news are peddling all kinds of stories around.

    “We see these on social media and hear things on many platforms. If these are intended to scare people, I want to dispel such illusions.

    “Everybody that is concerned in carrying out his legitimate undertaking, casting his or her vote will do so in a secured atmosphere.

    “It is very important that Nigerians are not pushed to the limit where they will abandon their number one responsibility as citizens.

    “I have confidence in the work of security agencies had been doing.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a lead agency and has assured all of us repeatedly during our meeting and engagement and I know all the security agencies are up to the task.”

    Monguno said that the remaining days to the election would be used to intensify efforts among security agencies for election security.

    On his part, the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, restated the commitment of the armed forces to work with the Police and other security agencies to ensure that INEC conducts the 2023 general elections without hitches.

    “I believe that this meeting today couldn’t have come at a better time to look at what we have done thus far. What gaps do exist and how we can close it,” Irabor said.

    The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, also assured members of the public that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are fully prepared for 2023 general elections.

    Baba pledged that the security personnel would provide a level-playing ground for Nigerians to exercise their franchise.

    “We are aware of the situation in Nigeria in terms of crime and criminality, and in terms of the general situation, particularly in the south East.

    “We are prepared to checkmate the activities of those who do not even want the election to take place and also provide a level-playing ground for those who are willing to exercise the franchise to do so,” Baba said.

    In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, welcomed the assurances from security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

    Yakubu said that INEC looks forward to the comprehensive plan for the deployment of security personnel to their various duty posts.

    “This arrangement has been done in the past and has greatly facilitated rapid response to situations that may arise in the field either on Election Day or during the collation of results.”

    Yakubu said that for INEC, its preparation for the election had gone far as most of the sensitive and non-sensitive materials were already in the various locations nationwide.

    “Training of all categories of ad hoc staff will soon take place and election technology has been tested, mock accreditation conducted and configuration underway.

    “The movement of personnel and materials has been worked out with the land and maritime transport unions.

    “Facilities destroyed in recent attacks have either been repaired already or are being repaired.

    “Where the damage is extensive, alternative facilities have been secured while materials lost will be replaced.”

    He said that INEC had also engaged other critical national institutions such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with regard to the adequate supply of petroleum products and the arrangement to pay for critical services without any encumbrances.

    “We are glad that additional security has been deployed to our facilities nationwide.

    “We also note the increasing tempo of activities in many troubled spots nationwide.

    “We are confident that these actions will further reassure voters, our personnel, service providers and stakeholders of their safety during elections and of a free, fair and peaceful process,” Yakubu said.

  • We’re leveraging soft power on counter-terrorism – NSA Monguno

    We’re leveraging soft power on counter-terrorism – NSA Monguno

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, says the Federal Government is leveraging soft power to complement counter-terrorism initiatives.

    Monguno disclosed this on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while featuring in the 60th session of State House Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.

    He said there were policy frameworks and key establishments by the Federal Government to address insecurity in this country.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari continues to provide strategic guidance in developing, coordinating and applying the instrument of national power to achieve the desired objective spelt out in our national security strategy.

    “Furthermore, we are leveraging soft power to complement other counter-terrorism initiatives as well as building trust and resilience at the community level.

    “Against this backdrop, various policy documents were developed and strategic institutions established to lay the ground work for coordination to deal with security challenges in our country.’’

    The national security adviser outlined some of the policy efforts by the Federal Government to tackle insecurity, which include the enactment of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.

    According to him, the act is one of the key success stories in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

    “This act repeals the Terrorism Prevention Act No 10 of 2011 as amended in 2013 and enacts provision for the detention, prevention, combating and prohibition of acts of terrorism.

    `This act provides for the establishment of a National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) for better coordination of counter-terrorism efforts.

    “Consequently, investigations are now better coordinated within the legal window of detention which has resulted in increased convictions.

    “This act also encapsulates best global standards and practices relating to counter-terrorism.’’

    Monguno said the policy framework and national action plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PVCE) was part of national efforts at addressing violent extremism.

    “This document articulates the roles to ensure seamless interaction between ministries, departments and agencies of government as well the larger society and non-governmental organisations among others.”

    He said that the PCVE key components include strengthening institutions and coordination, strengthening access to justice, rule of law and human rights, engaging communities and building resilience as well as integrating strategic communication.

    Monguno said that efforts were being made towards deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists.

    According to him, the Federal Government currently operates a number of deradicalisation programmes to support the PCVE efforts.

    He said that, notably, operation `Fine Corridor’ was designed to encourage willing and repentant Boko Haram terrorists to surrender and embrace peace.

    “This initiative is aimed at facilitating easy access and passage for surrendering Boko Haram terrorists to security forces for subsequent deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration process.

    “It is pertinent to state that the Borno State Government is currently having a permanent holding facility in Jere Local Government Area as part of the stablisation phase in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

    “Other initiatives include, `Yellow Ribbon’ which supports women and children of terrorists by providing psychological therapy and reintegration programmes.

    “Of course, we know, they are the most vulnerable in our society,’’ he said.

    Monguno said that cyber threats to national security were also being addressed.

  • Military has adopted new strategy to tackle insecurity – NSA

    Military has adopted new strategy to tackle insecurity – NSA

    The management of the Nigerian military during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari today assured him that they have adopted new strategies and tactics to deal with insecurity ravaging the country.

    The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, briefed pressmen after Thursday’s National Security Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The members of the armed forces have also committed that in the coming weeks, they have already started working on a new strategy to deal with these snippets of violence,” Mr. Monguno said. “And they’ve given their word their commitment to the President, that there will be a change in momentum, even though there might be certain institutional limitations which they face. But they understood the enormity of the responsibilities that they have.”

    However, Monguno did not disclose the new strategy and tactics that the Military will be adopting but assured that there will be a huge difference henceforth.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that president Buhari summoned service chiefs to an emergency meeting to chart a way forward concerning insecurity issues and incessant attacks by bandits and terrorists in the country.

     

     

  • Shiroro Massacre: Fire Service Chiefs, DSS DG, IGP, NSA now — HURIWA tells Buhari

    Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately fire all his military service chiefs, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police and National Security Adviser for gross dereliction and violation of rules of engagement.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement on Friday declaring that “President Muhammadu Buhari ought to stop his frequent lamentations over his failings in the area of security because that is not why he was elected but to take immediate and comprehensive measures to dismiss any or all of his service chiefs now since they have manifested through their actions and inactions that they have not got what it takes to defeat terrorists just as the security Chiefs most of whom are Muslim Northerners are behaving like they are aiding and abetting the successes recorded so far by Islamic terrorists and the Fulani terrorists.”

    HURIWA reacted against the backdrop of the massacre if soldiers in Shiroro Dan a strategic national asset by Boko Haram terrorists, accusing the President “of abandoning his duty to gallivanting and globetrot meaningless over the world.”

    According to reports, at least 43 people, including 30 soldiers and seven mobile police personnel and civilians were killed when the armed men stormed the Gold mining site. They also abducted several Chinese nationals.

    HURIWA however said “the Army should cover her face in shame that it is unable to defend the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even when the defence sector collects the giant allocations every year from the federally released annual budgets.” It wondered why “despite the fact that the government made claims of buying equipment from all over the world, the Islamists are being allowed to crush a trained and professional Army such as the Nigerian Army.”

    The rights group said it is now certain that some saboteurs within the Army may be the moles selling the country out to Jihadists. It therefore called for the sack of all the service chiefs, asking Nigerians “not to die in silence but to stage protests to demand action from President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the widening insecurity in Nigeria.”

    HURIWA said it is unfortunate that “Nigerians are letting the government abandon its statutory duty to the citizens but failing to actively protest the heightened state of insecurity in the Country and demand the dismissal of compromised security Chiefs and the National Security Adviser who has absolutely nothing to offer.”

  • 2023: NSA directs security agencies to monitor political actors

    2023: NSA directs security agencies to monitor political actors

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, has tasked heads of security and law enforcement agencies to step up close monitoring and profiling of political actors who exhibit tendencies to subvert the electoral process.

    Monguno disclosed this at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) second quarterly meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja on Friday.

    The NSA, who is also the co-chairman of ICCES, said that the political thugs and their sponsors would equally be under discreet surveillance for possible arrest and prosecution.

    Monguno, represented by Mr Sanusi Galadima, said that he had noted with utmost concern, the growing uncertainty heralding the conduct of party primaries for the 2023 general elections.

    “This is in addition to the unabated spate of violence that threatened the upcoming off cycle gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States, arising from internal party wranglings, increasing acrimony and bickering amongst political actors.

    “Also the inability of various contending political blocs to amicably resolves differences in line with democratic tenants.

    “Consequently, the above disturbing development has already culminated in intense power play capable of heightening unnecessary political tension across the country.

    “More worrisome is the unguarded utterances of some highly respected individuals and groups which more often than not amplify divisive narratives to the detriment of national security and stability.

    “ Accordingly, heads of security and law enforcement agencies have been task to step up close monitoring and profiling of political actors no matter highly placed who exhibit tendencies to subvert the electoral process, even as thugs and their sponsors would equally be trailed for possible arrest and prosecution,” Yakubu said.

    The NSA emphasised the need for INEC to impress it on political parties to consistently abide by prescribed rules as outlined in their respective constitutions.

    “This is to significantly reduce areas of conflict and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for a hitch free off-cycle and general election,” Monguno said.

    Earlier in his remarks, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that the general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process was a source of concern to the commission.

    Yakubu said that the commission would continue to work with the security agencies to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities.

    He said that as INEC prepared for the 2023 General Election, it was also preparing for two off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State on June 18 and in Osun State on July 16.

    He said that INEC also had pending by-elections in 18 constituencies across the country involving three senatorial districts, one federal constituency and 14 state constituencies.

    Yakubu said that political parties were expected to end their primaries latest by June 3 and for their candidates to emerge for public campaigns nationwide.

    He said that immediately after this, INEC and the security agencies had their work clearly cut out ahead of the elections.

    “The general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern to the commission.

    “However, we are confident that with nine months to the 2023 General Election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide. The timetable for the election has also been released.

    “Let us not wait until a few weeks to the election before we realise that time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timelines. The time to act is now.

    “We wish to reassure the security agencies that we will continue to work cooperatively with you to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities,” Yakubu said.

    He said that INEC had directed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to provide basic data on areas of security challenges in their states, including information on citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

    He said that the idea was to harvest the data as a basis for further engagement with the security agencies as well as devising the best way to provide electoral services to all Nigerians under all circumstances.

    “As you are all aware, a number of developments have taken place since our last meeting.

    “For instance, with the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022, there are roles and responsibilities required of all involved in elections, especially in the areas of voter accreditation and result management in particular and election administration in general. All these have bearing on election security.

    “We, therefore, need a clear understanding of some of these responsibilities under the new law,’’ the INEC chairman said.

    Yakubu said that one of the agenda of the meeting was to agree on the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Election Duty.

    He said that a further review was necessary in view of the new Electoral Act and current security challenges.

    “The commission will continue to appreciate the cooperation and support of all members of ICCES in our determination to conduct peaceful and credible elections.

    “Your support in providing security for the deployment of election materials, the protection of INEC officials, party agents, election observers, journalists and voters make democratic elections and related activities such as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) possible,” Yakubu said.

    Newsmen reports that the meeting was attended by representatives of security and law enforcement agencies in the country.

  • NSA never accused El-Rufai of divulging classified information

    NSA never accused El-Rufai of divulging classified information

    Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) says the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, never accused Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State of divulging classified information.

    The Head, Strategic Communication, ONSA, Mr Zakari Usman, refuted the report in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that NSA’s statement during a news conference on Thursday was misrepresented by a section of the media.

    Usman said the NSA, while briefing newsmen at the end of the Security Council Meeting held on Thursday did not at any time criticise and accuse the governor as reported.

    According to him, the reports are verifiably false, sensational and misleading.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the NSA was not referring to Governor El-Rufa’i in his comment on the protection of sensitive operational information.

    “The NSA while responding to a question had observed that it portends a danger to security operations if indeed it was true that security agents are in the habit of revealing unauthorised sensitive operational details as alleged.

    Usman said that El-Rufa’i had been a consistent and exemplary partner to the security sector, saying it was illogical and uncharitable for anyone to suggest that the NSA would discredit him in that manner.

    “Therefore, this office wishes to reiterate the need to imbibe conflict sensitive reporting and for media and social media stakeholders to resist the instant gratification of disinformation.

    “The general public and particularly the media are advised to disregard these reports and access the complete video of the press briefing session for accurate information,” he said.

  • NSA Monguno names three groups supporting terrorist organisations

    NSA Monguno names three groups supporting terrorist organisations

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Major-General Babagana Monguno, has named three groups supporting terrorist organisations in the Sahel region.

    He identified them as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).

    Monguno made the disclosure on Tuesday in a speech delivered at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja.

    “Terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to the Niger Republic and Burkina Faso,” he said.

    “It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region.

    “In Nigeria, Boko-Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country.”

    The situation in the Sahel, according to the NSA, has never been grimmer as extremist violence continues to spread with the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) rising and increasing rate of food insecurity.

    For him, there is a need to reassess and reset foreign and regional government strategies towards the Sahel and set aside faulty assumptions.

    Monguno asked the international community and its Sahelian partners to prioritise governance, cautiously pursue an expanded peace process through dialogue, and push for the adoption of more non-kinetic measures through affected communities.

    He, however, stated that the possibility of ISWAP creating an established caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries has been checkmated by a series of concerted and reinvigorated efforts of the countries of the region.

    According to the NSA, the adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches by LCBC countries to stem the conflict has yielded tremendous success.

    He also described the adoption of propaganda videos by terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region as a mere attempt to garner support from sympathisers, as they struggle to maintain relevance.

    “Thus, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long-term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of LCBC countries will continue to frustrate that goal,” Monguno avowed.

    “In that regard, it is imperative that ulamas, preachers, and community leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our security forces, in order to end this menace.

    “Just as collaborations between governments are boosting the advance of security forces in the fight against terrorism, alliances and group efforts like LOPIS should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism-infested communities. There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grassroots level.”