Polls: Security threats real but surmountable, says DSS

2019  Polls

WIDESPREAD anxiety over irregularities, violence and insecurity during the forthcoming elections are real, the Department of State Security (DSS) has said.

It, however, said security agents, voters, political leaders and other stakeholders can work together to surmount such fears in a timely manner.

Director of DSS-owned Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Abuja Alhaji A.S. Adeleke stated the agency’s position yesterday at a two-day security awareness seminar in Abuja.

He emphasised the commitment of the DSS’ current leadership under Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi to the country and its citizens.

He urged Nigerians to help ensure that the nation’s best interest prevails.

At the seminar with the theme, “Securing the 2019 general elections: The role of critical stakeholders” security agents, representatives of various unions and resource persons, including a criminologist, Prof. Etannibi Alemika and Prof. M.O. Maduagwu also echoed the DSS’ concern and prospects of surmounting security challenges.

Adeleke said: “The security of an electoral process is crucial, not just in ensuring a free, fair and credible outcome‚ but also fundamental to the attainment of national security.

“Unfortunately, electoral processes and democratic transition in Nigeria, between 1964 and 2018, have been generally marred by irregularities, violence and general insecurity.

“Given the myriad of prevailing security challenges and anticipated threats to the 2019 general elections, which are barely a few weeks away, the general trepidation over the safety of men, materials and the entire process, as well as the fear of possible negative outcomes, is justified.

“As critical stakeholders, we, therefore, cannot afford to sit on the fence; all hands must be on deck to swiftly put in place, adequate measures to contain potential threats to the electoral process.

“We must each play our role and complement efforts of the electoral umpire and security agencies; we must be conscious of the reality, that central to every credible election is the proper management and security of electoral personnel, CSOs, election materials, location, deployments and movements.”

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