2023 polls: No cause for alarm — Lai Mohammed

In spite of apprehensions about the conduct of 2023 elections as a result of insecurity, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm.

The Minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government remains resolute and unwavering in holding the elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He gave the assurance at the 17th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari scorecard series in Abuja on Tuesday covered by Persecondnews.

Mohammed also said the synergy between INEC and the various security agencies will ensure elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.

“Let me use this opportunity to respond to inquiries from the media over a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity.

“The position of the Federal Government remains that the 2023 elections will be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position.

“We are aware that INEC is working wth the security agencies to ensure that the elections are successfully held across the country.

“The security agencies have also continued to assure Nigerians that they are working tirelessly to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, there is no cause for alarm,” the minister said.

Persecondnews had earlier reported during the Validation of Election Security Training Resources on Monday that Prof. Abdu Zuru, the Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), representing the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, raised fears that the general elections might be cancelled or postponed if the security situation did not improve.

Yakubu had said:“Moreover, if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis.

“This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen.”