By Ekebuisi Okorocha (Abuja)

The  Senate has assured  that the lingering insecurity ravaging the country and the forthcoming census will not affect the conduct of 2023 general elections. 

Making this disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja, chairman Senate Committee on the independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Senator Kabiru Gaya stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after presenting his committee’s report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations .

Gaya explained that INEC and NPC are separate agencies and the work of one would not affect the other. 

On security,  he said the Federal Government has promised on many occasions to provide adequate security during after the 2023 general elections. 

” we have been monitoring and discussing with INEC  and also overseeing what they are doing on the issue of insecurity and how they can conduct election.

 “Everyday we speak to them on the challenges before them and they show us solutions to those challenges hoping that by 2023 this election will hold and it will be peaceful and transparent”. he said.

On the additional funds requested by INEC, Gaya said 

” the additional funds is justifiable due to the fact that the value of the Naira has changed and the cost of things are not encouraging therefore  we proposed additional N50 billion for INEC to Appropriation committee. 

” if INEC gets it right our democracy will be on the right path. Gaya said

Earlier,  the Chairman of the Appropriation committee , Senator Jubrin Barau commended Senator Gaya for the good work done by his committee adding that Appropriation committee would do everything possible to ensure that INEC is not handicapped.