The Federal Government has warned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) against disrupting the conduct of the November 6 Anambra governorship election.
Speaking at the quarterly meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), held in Abuja on Thursday, National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Moguno, said any group or persons planning to disrupt the election will be dealt with severely.
Monguni, who was represented at the meeting by one of his aides, Sanusi Galadima, said the federal government would not tolerate plans to disrupt the upcoming election.
The NSA said with the current security challenges in the South-East, the government would ensure the protection of lives and property during and after the Anambra election.
He said: “With the prevalence of security threats occasioned by different dissident separatist groups in the southern region of the country, who are bent on scuttling efforts of government in achieving national cohesion and undermining the democratic processes in the country, the federal government of Nigeria will not tolerate any group or persons planning to impede smooth conduct of elections.
“While acknowledging the constitutional rights of citizens to freely express their legitimate grievances within the ambits of the law, it is also important to state that the federal government will not abdicate its constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property, as well as a secure environment for citizens to pursue their legitimate means of livelihood.
“We are poised to ensure the robust deployments before, during and after the polls, with a view to countering any threats and ensuring peaceful conduct of the polls, especially in the forthcoming off-cycle Anambra state gubernatorial election.”