The Nation News

Category: News

  • ‘Stop harassment, media trial of Yahaya Bello- Kogi women warn EFCC

    ‘Stop harassment, media trial of Yahaya Bello- Kogi women warn EFCC

    By, Mark Akudu, Kogi 

    Women in Kogi state has issued a note of warning to the leadership of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the anti-graft agency’s continued media trial of a former Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    The convener of the Kogi Women Group on Good Governance, Tukura Grace who made this known while briefing newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday, called on President Bola Tinubu to call the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and his sponsors to order.

    They warned that further harassment, intimidation and persecution of Bello will no longer be tolerated.

    “As mothers, we don’t want a repeat of what happened in 1929 where women came out naked protesting the injustice meted on them during the colonial era.

    “An injury to our son, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is an injury to Kogi Women. The case instituted against him by the EFCC is mere hunting and political persecution.

    “We mothers in Kogi state might come out naked to protest against this injustice which is being perpetuated by the EFCC against Yahaya Bello just because of their selfish interest ahead of the 2027 elections.

    “It has become expedient to cry out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into the activities of EFCC against Yahaya Bello,” she said.

    The women group said the former Governor’s decision to visit EFCC head office in Abuja voluntarily showed “he has no cockroach in his cupboard”.

    “We are compelled to ask why the consistent media trial of a man who remodeled Kogi state.

    “Declaring him wanted again, after he honoured their invitation, shows the level of EFCC Chairman’s incompetence. It confirmed that the anti graft agency is working tirelessly towards silencing our former Governor.”

    The women group said it is preposterous that the EFCC Chairman is dancing to the tunes of his paymasters just to bring Bello down at all cost.

    They insisted that the anti graft agency has no concrete evidence against Bello.

    “Kogi state money is not missing and nobody has filed a petition alleging that our son misappropriated funds meant for the state.

    “This cheap blackmail and character assassination being spearheaded by the EFCC Chairman and his selfish political gladiators must stop now.”they said.

  • Fraud: Youths Slam EFCC over recent maltreatment of Yahaya Bello

    By, Mark Akudu, Kogi 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been berated for its recent maltreatment of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello who volunteered and presented himself at the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption agency two days ago.

    The condemnation was made by the leadership of Nigerian Christian Youths Forum, North-East Zone through its Coordinator, Evangelist Shedrack Bamaiyi while speaking to Journalists in Bauchi on Friday.

    According to him, the action of the EFCC was a clear indication that it is not really fighting corrupt practices but outright war against individuals perceived to be in its bad books for political reasons.

    The faith based group wondered why EFCC will not attend to the former Governor when he volunteered to surrender himself at the EFCC office accompanied by the incumbent Governor of Kogi state, Ododo.

    Shedrack Bamaiyi retorted that, “One cannot really understand what the EFCC wants from Yahaya Bello. He was declared wanted, he submitted himself, the EFCC refused to attend to him, he left and went back home after spending ours.”

    “Moments later, armed men went to the Kogi Governor’s Lodge and started shooting sporadically. Who do they want to kill? What are they after? What exactly do they want? We need them to answer these questions,” he stressed.

    He further stated that, “If Yahaya Bello were guilty, he would not have willingly presented himself at the EFCC headquarters. He has proved that he is a respecter of the rule of law, he is a peaceful person and a good political icon in the country.”

    Shedrack Bamaiyi called on the EFCC to stop the act of recklessness and abuse of due process, called on the EFCC to re-invite the former Governor to its office anytime it is ready to attend to him in accordance with the relevant laws of the country.

    The Christian Youths Forum appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency prevail on the EFCC to act civil within the purview of the law establishing it and other extant laws of the nation.

    The Forum also urged the President to prevail on the EFCC to put to stop the embarrassing act of unprofessionalism exhibited by the EFCC Boos.

  • Gov Otu assents to amended C’River Electoral Law

    From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

    The governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu has granted assent to the amended state Electoral Law passed by the State House of Assembly.

    The amendment by the House of Assembly was necessitated by the Supreme Court’s verdict granting autonomy to local government as well as ensuring that states of the federation to ensure local administrations are headed by elected officials in accordance with the constitution.

    Signing the amended Law, Governor Otu stated: “Let me thank Mr. Speaker and members of the House of Assembly, and of course, our own Electoral Commission for making sure that we have an up-to-date act that is ready to put the third tier of government into office”. 

    “Local government is very important. That is the government that is closer to the people than any other government that we have in the Federation. 

    “I want to appreciate the fact that you’ve done a good job and I know that Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), as they are going, they are going to announce the date for the election and people will be ready; so that we will follow the rules of the game”. 

    He added further, “We want this particular segment of our government to be active so that the dividends of democracy will trickle right down to the downtrodden and the people who need it most.”

    The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem told newsmen that “what we have done today is in line with the Supreme Court judgment that was passed ab initio , and the Otu-led government being a proactive one, decided that the third tier government must come up almost immediately.”

    “For some time, we have not had the opportunity of having substantive chairmen in their right places of authority. And the governor thought it wise that we need to come up with the conduct of local government elections.

    “And the House of Assembly, in her wisdom, looked at the CROSIEC laws land realized that there were some grey areas that needed urgent attention. And those grey areas are the areas that have been largely attended to.

    Speaker Ayambem said one of the most cardinal points tackled in the amended Law was the review of the tenure of office of chairmen and councillors from three to four years on par with their elected officials at the state and federal levels.

    “As the Supreme Court judgment rightly had outlined that the third tier government should enjoy the same status with that of the executive, the status of a governor and the status of a president where they have a tenure of four years in office and not three years at it were. So we looked at it in consonance with the Supreme Court judgment. 

    “All that we have done is align strictly with what the Supreme Court has outlined. So we looked at it in consonance with the Supreme Court judgment. All that we have done is aligning strictly with what the Supreme Court has outlined,” the Speaker added.

  • Kogi Poly rector, Usman tasks Tinubu to checkmate growing Selective Justice, hunger in Nigeria

    By Mark Akudu, Kogi 

    The rector of Kogi polytechnic, Salisu Ogbo Usman has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to checkmate the growing perception of selective justice and hunger under his administration.

    Usman who made this known at a Town Hall meeting organized by the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs Abiodun Essiet, said the perceived selective justice is one of the major triggers of anger among Nigerians.

    The rector, who was the guest speaker at the Town Hall meeting held in Lokoja, urged the federal government to be fair and just in its anti-corruption fight.

    Citing cases of alleged corruption in Rivers, Kano and Zamfara states where the accused actors are celebrated leaders within the current administration, he asked, “why is Kogi different”.

    “We can all recall that under then Governor Nyesom Wike, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared the then Rivers State Accountant-General, Fubara Siminayi, and 58 others wanted for N435 billion fraud, alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office. Today, Wike is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Fubara that was declared wanted is now Governor of Rivers state. Without immunity, Minister Wike is not haunted by EFCC.

    “Ex-Zamfara governor, Bello Mattawalle, accused by the same EFCC over alleged N70bn money laundering is currently the Defence Minister under the same incumbent administration.

    “What about the former Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje? Despite corruption charges levelled against him, he currently sits as the National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “So, we are bold to ask, why is the case involving former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state different?,” he queried.

    Salisu’s submissions were re-echoed by many participants at the town hall meeting who held the views that selective justice is prevalent under the current administration.

    They demanded that Bello be given the same treatment accorded former Governors and urged EFCC to be impartial, transparent and professional in its dealings.

    Salisu commended President Bola Tinubu for his policies aimed at rebuilding the nation, but added that without addressing the aggravated hunger in the land, Nigerians will not fully appreciate his vision for the country.

    Speaking with newsmen after the town hall meeting,  Salisu emphasized that “Nigerians are hungry. There is no doubt about that. No matter how good the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are, Nigerians won’t appreciate it while striving to get what to eat.

    “Benjamin Franklin once said ‘it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright’. This is so true and profound. Fix the issue of hunger and see how fast Nigerians will join hands with the President to move the nation forward.”

    At the townhall meeting, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Mrs Essiet, launched ‘Citizens’ Assembly’ aimed at tackling community problems and fostering an inclusive society.

    Mrs Essiet said the citizens’ assembly was created to collectively tackle community problems and foster an inclusive society where every voice is heard.

  • Gov Eno begins restoration of tourism relics in Akwa Ibom 

    Gov Eno begins restoration of tourism relics in Akwa Ibom 

    By, Maxwell Nwafor, Akwa-ibom 

    Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Charles Udoh said the state government has begun the process of restoring and resuscitating some tourism relics in the state.

    Speaking with journalists in Uyo, ahead of the World Tourism Day, Udoh mentioned some of the relics to include the 1914 Amalgamation house, Mary Slessor’s legacy; the Slave boat around the marina beach in Nwaniba, and IkotAbasi; Location of 1929 Women riot among others.

    He said the essence of the restoration was to build a strong tourist attraction for the state which would in turn bolster the economy and create employment noting that tourism in some climes serves as a major source of economic growth.

    He regretted that Akwa Ibom had lost fortunes over the years due to its inability to tap the tourism opportunities of those sites saying that governor Umo Eno was determined to promote the tourism sector by channelling resources and ensuring they generate income to the state even beyond his administration.

    He said the state was cautious in its restoration process so as not to alter the arctic nature of the structures hence its call for experts that would handle the projects without adding modern features.

    Udoh hinted that the transatlantic slave trade boat has been fully restored and would be unveiled during the first ever boat regatta and fishing festival during the world tourism day at Marina Beach.

    According to him, “Here, we are blessed because history favours us from the historical relics we talked about. From the story on the amalgamation of Nigeria, to the slave trade, the 1929 women riot which was wrongly credited to somewhere else. 

    “His Excellency has charged all of us to see how we can take advantage of all those things that we have. He is also passionate about trying to provide new opportunities in the tourism sector to boost job creation and poverty alleviation. 

    “In the world, tourism is the highest employer of labour anywhere because tourism cuts across everything, agriculture, education, medical, sports and even religion. 

    “The truth is that Akwa Ibom has lost something though I may not quantify it because there is no empirical data to ascertain that but when you look at Kigali in Rwanda, a country rising from the rubbles of destruction, becoming a tourist destination, that tells you we are losing something. 

    “If you come to Gambia, the shoreline of Gambia is smaller than the shoreline of Mbo not to talk of Ibeno or Eastern Obollo and that’s(tourism) the major driver of the economy of that country. What about Kenya, Dubai? Dubai first of all had an Airline to boost its tourism sector and Akwa Ibom has an airline which shows that the potentials are huge in the state.

    “When I talk about restoration, it means that if this is what was there in 1914, you need to replicate as closely as possible in terms of materials, in terms of paints etc. If you bring in modern materials, it’s no longer an Amalgamation House for instance, that’s why we look for services of experts. 

    “Meanwhile, the restoration work on the slave boat has been completed, it is just branding that is remaining. The community and community leaders were so excited and they volunteered a lot of information, so what you’re going to see are marble plaques listing the names of the great great grandfathers who were exported through Nwaniba into slavery.” He said.

  • Ex-gov Ugwuanyi, ex-APC chair offer #5m to anyone who will unveil Aniagu’s killers in Enugu

    Ex-gov Ugwuanyi, ex-APC chair offer #5m to anyone who will unveil Aniagu’s killers in Enugu

    By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

    The former Chairman of All Progressive Congress Enugu State, Ben Nwoye has called on Ndi Enugu to stop the conspiracy of silence and unveil the killers of brothers now.

    Ben Nwoye in a press statement sent to the Journalists condemned the brutal execution of Chief Stephen Aniagu, the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, by assassins in broad daylight.

    He emphasized that it is a painful reminder that criminal elements in and around Enugu State have continued to operate their evil enterprise targeting and killing politicians, emerging leaders and community leaders without trace.

    “It is more painful and worrisome, realising that the 48 hours deadline given to the security agencies to solve the crime have expired, and there is no trace of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.  

    “The gruesome murder case file is gradually descending into the vault of a cold case stored by Enugu State Police Command Criminal Investigation Department.  All we hear is the same old statement, “we are on top of the situation,” “the killers will be brought to justice.”

    “We heard the same story in 2018 when I was almost assassinated in my sleep, I escaped death by the whiskers but my police order was not so lucky. He was shot in the temple.  He survived the attack due to miraculous medical intervention he received at my personal expense.

    “As if that was not enough, Kelvin Ezeoha and Chidera Ogaba were shot dead in broad daylight while attending an APC meeting.  All the noise made by the security agencies could not result in any arrest, detention, prosecution or conviction of the culprits.

    “These same killers went on a murderous rampage two days before the 2023 general election.  They killed Chief Barr. Oyibo Chukwu and his driver. To make the matter worse, they set the bodies of their victims ablaze.  As usual, the security agencies made loud noises promising to bring the perpetrators to book.  Till this day nothing has come of it.  The killers of Barr Oyibo Chukwu and his driver are still roaming the street.

    The same day Oyibo Chukwu was killed, the blood thirsty assassins killed the driver of Ofor Chukwuegbo.

    As if the death of Oyibo Chukwu and others were not enough, few months after the unfortunate event, Enugu State lost yet another illustrious son in the person of Chief Dons Ude.  The security agencies took the same old part with the same war of words promising to fish out the killers of Chief Dons Udeh.  

    The former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, promised to pay 5,000,000 naira to anyone with information leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the killers. Once again, the death of Dons Udeh remained unsolved.  

    “Now comes the death of the Chairman of OMMATA one week before the Local Government Election. We are hearing the same rythorics. I hope that this will be an exception. But with the expiration of a 48 hours ultimatum and no news of arrest, I am hopelessly disappointed.  

    “Enugu people have to  rise up to the occasion.  The security agencies cannot solve the crime without getting useful information from witnesses.. The conspiracy of silence must cease.  NdiEnugu cannot pretend not to know the killers of our leaders.  We can no longer afford to hide under the unholy blanket of “Unknown Gunmen.” The gunmen are well known to us because they live among us. They’re NdiEnugu.  

    “Someone amongst us knows who wants me dead, they killed Comrade Kelvin Ezeoha and Chidera Ogaba. Someone reading this piece knows who killed Chief Barr Oyibo Chukwu and his driver. Someone knows who killed the driver of Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo. Someone knows who killed Chief Dons Udeh.  Someone in our community knows who killed Chief Stephen Aniagu.

    “The conspiracy theory of silence must end now, I repeat! Someone who saw something must say something. Someone who knows something must say something” he lamented.

  • Reps, Ugbor decries alleged confiscation, damaging under rain of palliatives meant for IDPs by Gov. Alia

    From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

    The Member of House of Representatives for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency Terséer Ugbor, on Tuesday, raised alarm that, the palliatives deployed to his constituency by National  Emergency Management Agency NEMA through his office, and  confiscated by the Benue State governor, have been left damaged at open space and are being beaten by rain and sun at government house Makurdi.

    Ugbor who lamented that the truck drivers have also been  sleeping outside for almost a week, stated the seizure of a truck of palliatives by the  state government which belong to him but meant for distribution to IDPs in his constituency was a politice taken too far.

    The Kwande/Ushongo representatives  who spoke to our Correspondent on  phone in Makurdi his intention sue State Government today(Tuesday) if the truck and the drivers release, said that he is yet to take legal action against the governor and his administration because he is trying to explore all the necessary avenues to resolve the issue with the governor.

    “There is no further action yet. We are trying to explore all avenues to resolve the issue with the governor. Our only worry is that the palliatives are parked under the rains and sun which could cause damage. The truck drivers have also been sleeping outside for almost a week now.

    “I still wonder why the Governor would accuse me of diverting palliatives that I  got approval for, from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. 

    “Remember I said  that I  wrote to NEMA over 6 months ago for palliatives which was finally approved on August 27, 2024 for onward distribution to my constituency.

    “NEMA told  me to make the necessary arrangements to move the palliatives to my Constituency. I made necessary arrangements between Wednesday and Thursday last week. I paid for the truck and the palliatives were moved to Benue State. 

    “As soon as we arrived in Benue, I had earlier sent a letter ahead to the DSS because that is the procedure that must be followed for monitoring and distribution of palliatives. I said even though the palliatives are in huge quantities, we do not have the warehouse to accommodate such quantities and we do not have a centralized IDP camp where we can offload the palliatives  in Kwande.

    “We have not made the necessary logistical arrangements to take the Palliatives to the IDP camps.  I explained to the DSS and the palliatives came into town. We had agreed with NEMA that they will be kept in Makurdi for two (2)weeks and within this period, we will make the necessary arrangements where NEMA and SEMA will be there to be part of the distribution on an agreed date.

    ” As soon as the palliatives arrived, we got an open place on Gboko road opposite Benue State University where they were to be offloaded.

    “But as soon as the trailer arrived, as we were still making the necessary arrangements to offload, we saw Police from Government House who said that the Governor said that the palliatives had been diverted. When they came, they thought it was SEMA palliatives but they were told that it is a palliative for members of the House of Representatives that had just arrived from NEMA office in Jos. 

    “They asked why we are offloading it there and we showed them all the allocation papers including my acknowledgement of receipt of the goods from NEMA and they asked us to go and file a Police report. I questioned such action but agreed to file a police report which was stamped and sent to the Governor. 

    “The DSS and the Governor’s security told him that this is not SEMA but NEMA palliatives meant for the rep member and there was no issue with it. I called the Governor to tell him that these are NEMA palliatives meant for me and they are in safe hands, and the day we will distribute them, SEMA will be involved but he refused to pick my call. I sent him a message and he refused to reply to my message and the next day he travelled to London for a program to attend Tiv Day. This was since Thursday and every day the truck parks there, am paying demurrage. 

    “The drivers are sleeping outside and I feed them. I called the traditional rulers to speak to him to allow the truck to leave. I have spent over 5.5 million to get the truck to Benue. If I wanted to divert them why would I bring it to Benue and you still accuse me of diverting palliatives. Some of the items like garri which is over 500 are perishable, there are wrappers, mosquito nets, mattresses. One truck is in the warehouse and the other seized. This is very embarrassing. 

  • Wike can’t put fire In Bauchi State – Gov Bala

    Wike can’t put fire In Bauchi State – Gov Bala

    By: AJIYA AYUBA, Bauchi

    The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir on Tuesday said that the former governor of Rivers State and the current FCT, Nyesom Wike can not put out fires in Bauchi State.

    The governor, senator Bala said this during the visitation of the party national working Committee, at the Bauchi state government house. 

    He said that “Nobody can put out fire in Bauchi state because we are united, working as a team and we also have enough water to quench fire.

    He described the former governor of Rivers State and the current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike as his friend but said, leadership is leadership and must be handled with all seriousness and responsibility.

    According to the governor, Bala said that”It’s not personal of what we are doing, said Wike is my friend, friend is a friend and leadership is leadership so there is no problem”

    He said that the visitation of the national working committee shows that in Nigeria, there’s people of conscience and connected by the values that established the PDP.

    He appreciated the party national working committee for the visit to Bauchi state and reiterated his efforts towards moving the party to the great level.

    He said that after their party PDP left office nothing like development in the country again.

    In his part, the National Working Committee legal adviser, Barrister Kamaludeen Ajibade Adeyimi said that they are in Bauchi to appreciate Bala for a great role played in the party.

    He added that governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has done wonderfully well in delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Bauchi state and Nigeria at large.

    Further said that they are also in the state to discuss issues that are affecting the party.

  • Ebonyi gets new commissioner of police, Uche-Anya

    Ebonyi gets new commissioner of police, Uche-Anya

    Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

    Ebonyi state police command on Tuesday get new commissioner of police, CP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya and she is assuming office as the 27th commissioner of police since the creation of the state in 1996.

    The Nations News Nigeria reports that the new commissioner of police, Uche-Anya hails from Nwangele LGA of Imo state and holds a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor of Laws degree, Master of Laws degree, and Master in Security and Strategic Studies.

    It was gathered that she joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) on 01/11/1991 and has served meritoriously in various roles across the country.

    It was also learnt that in 2020, she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police and served as the DC welfare department of Finance and Administration FHQ Abuja, and subsequently as DC Administration Force Intelligence Department (FID) Abuja.

    “Upon becoming a Commissioner of Police, she was deployed to Ebonyi State Police Command as the 27th Commissioner of Police. 

    CP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, is a fellow of the National Defence College and a member of several professional bodies and associations such as the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the National Institute of Police Studies, the International Association of Women Police (IAWP), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).

    The erudite and thorough-bred police officer is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the police mandate of protecting lives and property in Ebonyi State. She also seeks the support of all relevant stakeholders in discharging her responsibilities.

  • Enugu Govt tasks NSCDC to beef-up security, as LG election holds 21st, sept 2024

    By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

    Enugu State Government led by governor Peter Mbah has tasked Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure security across the state, especially as the Local Government election campaigns are concluded this week and the election is held on Saturday, 21st September 2024. 

    In addition to providing logistical and technological support to security agencies in the State, the government is doubling down in its efforts to bring criminals and offenders to justice by diligently prosecuting criminal cases and securing convictions, with sufficient sentencing/punishment against the criminals.  This is part of the innovative package of Governor Peter Mbah to rejig the State’s security architecture. 

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Enugu State, Kingsley Tochi Udeh stated this during an advocacy engagement with the Enugu State Commandant of the NSCDC, Cyprian Otoibhi. 

    Udeh also urged Commandant Otoibhi and his team to intensify their efforts in providing robust security, with particular emphasis on protecting public assets, farmers, and school children. 

    He highlighted the critical role of the NSCDC under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah in transforming Enugu State into a crime-free zone and a prime investment hub in Nigeria.

    Reiterating the government’s steadfast support for the NSCDC and other security agencies, the commissioner emphasized the Governor’s tireless efforts in strengthening the security system of the state to enhance their operations.

    In his response, Commandant Otoibhi expressed his gratitude for Governor Mbah’s leadership, recognizing his unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all residents in Enugu State. 

    He assured that the NSCDC is fully committed to collaborating with the Governor to ensure top-tier security across the state.

    Additionally, the Commandant Otoibhi disclosed the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture to devise effective strategies for safeguarding farmers against any form of attack while in their farms. He also highlighted the NSCDC’s vigorous efforts towards ensuring the safety of school children, aiming to prevent any security breaches in educational institutions.

    In conclusion, Otoibhi informed the State’s Attorney General that the NSCDC plays a pivotal role in protecting national infrastructure such as power assets, airport facilities,  and railway tracks within the state. 

    He affirmed the Corps’ dedication to promoting security across Enugu State through all lawful means. 

    Otoibhi assured of the commitment of NSCDC alongside other security agencies in the State towards safeguarding vital infrastructure and maintaining peace throughout the election period and after.