NSA Did Not Condemn Gubernatorial Elections In Kogi, Bayelsa States

Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has denied media reports that it condemned the just concluded gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States respectively.

The ONSA was reacting to a recent meeting of the Inter-Agencies Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held in Abuja to discuss modalities on ways to improve future elections in the country.

Recall that the Kogi and Bayelsa States elections were conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on November 16, 2019, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in both states.

In a statement made available to THE WHISTLER through the ONSA on Friday in Abuja, said there was no difference between the position of the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser on the recent polls.

It added that both agencies have condemned the unfortunate death of Salome Abuh, in Kogi State, adding that the police had already made arrests and all security agencies are working to identify other perpetrators of election violence for prosecution.

The Office also noted that only the Courts are empowered by law to handle and determine issues arising from the conduct of the elections, stressing that ONSA, ICCES, and other security agencies involved in election security would continue to identify the gaps for free, fair and credible elections in future.

The statement read in part: “Our attention has been drawn to media reports following the meeting of the Inter-Agencies Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held in Abuja.

“The ICCES is an inter-agency platform through which the Office of the National Security Adviser supports election security coordination, identify challenges and strengthen national capacity to ensure the safety of the electoral process.

“The National Security Adviser did not condemn the gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States and is not in any position to do so.

“Neither the ICCES nor the Office of the National Security Adviser is in a position to pass verdict over the validity of gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States as some reports suggest. Only the courts are empowered by law to determine issues arising from the conduct of the elections.

“The planning and management of the electoral process is a continuous undertaking and through the ICCES, we are identifying the challenges recorded in the recent polls and working with all stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of future polls are improved.

“As emphasized during the ICCES meeting, the Office of the National Security Adviser will continue to work with law enforcement and security agencies involved in election security to identify gaps, strengthen our collective preparedness and ensure that future elections are safer and conducive.”

The Office, however, urged all aggrieved parties to any election-related issues to resort to the election tribunals provided by law.