FG Uncovers Plots To Use Naira Scarcity To Disrupt Elections

The Federal Government has uncovered plots to use the naira scarcity to cause protests and violence during the forthcoming general election.

It stated that the plots are being created largely by the attitude of political actors, their sponsored thugs, and other unpatriotic elements who do not want a peaceful election.

Naija News reports that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, made this known on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Monguno, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Sanusi Galadima, expressed serious concern with the escalation of violence during electioneering campaigns across the country.

He stated that despite the peace accord signed by all the presidential candidates, the forthcoming election should be peaceful and free of violence.

The NSA, therefore, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its determination to ensure free and credible elections.

He said: “This ugly trend is created largely by the attitude of political actors, their sponsored thugs, and other unpatriotic elements. This has further hampered the efforts of security and intelligence agencies to effectively neutralize the prevailing security situation across the country, terrorism, and banditry.

“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 organize civil unrest during the election.

“In this vein and 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 election, security agents have been charged to ensure lawful deployment to deal decisively with any individual or group involved, no matter how highly placed.”

Also speaking at the meeting, INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence that the security agencies would do all it takes to ensure the security of lives and property, during and after the elections

He said: “The commission is aware that security agencies are going to protect not only our officials and facilities but also accredited observers, journalists, service providers, and above all, the voters themselves.”