Babagana Monguno, national security adviser, says security
operatives will clamp down on politicians who hire thugs to cause violence
during election campaign rallies.
Monguno spoke on Thursday at a ministerial media briefing
organised by the presidential communications team at the presidential villa in
Abuja.
Speakin further, the NSA said politicians guilty of
obstructing campaign activities of their opponents are suffering from
“complex.”
“One thing I can assure you is, the president has given
clear directives. The people’s will must prevail. What happened in Anambra or
Osun and Ekiti is what we want to happen all over the country,” he said.
“Let the people
choose their leader, whoever they want, then later, they can decide. But in the
process of electing who governs them, we must be mindful of the fact that there
are people who are hell-bent on forcing on bullying and cornering their
opponents.
“It’s not even a function of numbers or a function of money.
It’s a big problem. It’s a problem that’s also linked with complex. Because if
you are really who you are, you don’t need to hire thugs.
“If you cannot restrain your thugs, the government will do
that for you. And you will be called on the carpet and you will answer
questions. We have a lot of politicians, and I’m not being specific about any
politician or party. This virus has to be contained.
“I have given a clear warning that any politician who
engages in any unpalatable activity — the use of thugs, and I know we have a
lot of political thugs, straining at the leash, foaming at the mouth, desperate
to bite and taste blood — we’re going to apply everything within the powers of
the government.
“And I’m not saying that we’re going to just operate in a
manner that is not regulated. The government is not going to embark on anything
that is uncontrolled. We will operate on the straight and narrow, confining
ourselves to legality. That I can assure you.
“The president has given his directives. And we’re working
on that. So, those elements who think they can deny other people the political
air to breathe and reach out to the local community, should have a rethink.
“I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again. These
political elements should call their thugs, their capo regimes, to order. They
should have a nice, quiet fireside chat with them, and advise them that when
the law enforcement agencies come, there’ll be no hiding place.”
When asked if insecurity may affect the dates of the
elections, he said efforts are ongoing to ensure that the 2023 elections are
peaceful.
“I hope your question is not a trap but the elections will
take place; we have said that. By the grace of Almighty, they will take place
in an atmosphere bereft of intimidation and violence. We’ll try as much as
possible to maintain that,” he said.
“For those people who’ve been going around burning offices,
killing people, I have already said it. The security agencies have been given
that instruction — ‘visit them with all you have and let them understand that
there are consequences for bad behaviour’.
“Everybody is a Nigerian; everybody is free to do whatever
he wants to do, but don’t cross the line and move into another person’s territory.
“That you want to
destroy government property, property set up by taxpayers’ money? How dare you?
Who the hell are you? In a normal society, this is not tolerated, and I believe
we’re a normal society.”
Monguno’s comments come hours after Usman Baba,
inspector-general of police (IGP), said no governor would be allowed to prevent
opposition political parties from holding rallies in their states.
“Some try to
manipulate the campaigns,” Baba, who spoke through Dandaura Mustapha, deputy
inspector-general of police, operations, had said.
“Some even sponsor thugs to pursue the opposition, remove
their billboards, remove their posters and destroy their offices. We are aware
and we have full reports.
“Based on this, the
IG has categorically directed all commissioners of police that on no account
should any serving or sitting governor stop other political parties from
conducting their campaigns in the nooks and crannies of their states.”
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