2023 elections ‘ll hold as scheduled–Lai Mohammed  ‘No threat to national security to warrant cancellation, says DSS .We won’t tolerate thuggery in Lagos– Police

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Despite fears about the conduct of 2023 general election over 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).

Mohammed was reacting to a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official, that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity.

The minister said there is no cause for alarm over the fake report as all hands are on deck to ensure peaceful and credible conduct of the polls.

“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 with 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,” the minister assured.

NAN reports that the scorecard series was launched by the Ministry of Information and Culture in October, last year to showcase the achievements of the Buhari Administration.

Since the series started, 16 Ministers had featured and presented the achievements of their ministries and the parastatal agencies under them.

The 17th edition featured the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire who also presented the strides that have been made in the country’s critical health sector.

However, The Department of State Service said on Tuesday that it will not spare any effort in ensuring that threats to national security and conduct of the 2023 polls are curtailed.

The spokesman for the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement made available to Persecondnews, said the service would create the enabling environment needed for the 2023 elections.

“We restate our unalloyed support to the President on his resolve to continue to confront head-on, threats to national security as well as create the enabling environment necessary for the 2023 general elections to hold,” he said.

He frowned at the campaign of calumny targeting its Director-General, Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi, his family and some key officials of the Service and asked the public to ignore the ridiculous horseplay of disgruntled elements aimed at undermining the highly dedicated leadership and management of the Service.

He said:”Also, some sections of the media have been briefed to implement the strategy through sponsored articles, commentaries and features to malign the DG, his family and select officials of the Service.

“The Service is monitoring developments and will allow the plotters to either exhaust themselves or rescind the plan of action. Otherwise, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties.

“However, it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the Service and its highly dedicated leadership and management.

“The DSS, therefore, wishes to inform the public to be wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG.”