Contrary to fears that were being expressed in some quarters that the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections might be postponed, the National Security Council (NSC) rose from its maiden meeting in 2023, yesterday, with an assurance that the presidential and National Assembly elections billed for this Saturday would hold as scheduled.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, gave the assurance when he briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of State House, Abuja.Malami said the meeting was briefed by Chief of Defence Staff, the three service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, and heads of other security agencies, who spoke on their readiness to provide security for Saturday’s poll.
The United States of America (USA) also said yesterday it was committed to peaceful, free and fair elections in Nigeria. The US stressed that the process of voting Nigeria’s leaders mattered to the world.In a similar vein, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, warned the electorate and politicians against vote- selling and vote-buying in the Saturday polls.Malami told journalists after the NSC meeting that the council resolved that the February 25 election should hold as planned.
He disclosed that the meeting was a follow up to earlier meetings of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Council of State held last week, to affirm the readiness of the electoral body, the police, and other security agencies for the general election.