Violence During Anambra Guber Will Be Met With Strong Action

Nuhu Ribadu.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that any outbreak of violence during the Anambra State governorship election will attract a firm and decisive response from the nation’s security agencies.

Ribadu issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during a session of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, held with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Representing him at the meeting was Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The NSA assured that the Federal Government had taken adequate measures to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent governorship election on November 8.

“As we prepare for the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025, we have put in place robust security arrangements,” Ribadu said.

“These include enhanced surveillance, the deployment of sufficient security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.”

He emphasised that political leaders and candidates must act responsibly to ensure peace, warning that security agencies would not tolerate violence or any activity capable of destabilising the state.

“Any form of violence during the elections will be met with a strong, uncompromising response,” Ribadu warned.

He added that the Police and other security agencies had been fully mobilised to safeguard voters, election officials, and materials before, during, and after the polls.

In his remarks, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, reaffirmed the commission’s preparedness for the Anambra governorship election, confirming that all logistics and security arrangements had been finalised.

“With just 11 days to the Anambra governorship election, the commission is confident in affirming its full preparedness for the polls,” Amupitan stated.

“We plan to deploy about 24,000 personnel, with voting taking place in 5,718 of the state’s 5,720 polling units.”

Amupitan urged security agencies to continue working together to maintain a safe and organised voting environment, while also cautioning against vote-buying and voter inducement.

“Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate,” he said.

“Together, let us combat vote-buying, uphold democratic values, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections.”

The meeting, which gathered representatives from the military, police, paramilitary agencies, and other stakeholders, formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible election in Anambra State.