Former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, has said there is still hope for Nigerians despite the security challenges facing the country.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Newsnight, a pre-recorded show that airs on Mondays. Imoke, a former Minister of Power and Steel Development, noted that though the security situation has worsened than it was in 2019, he is optimistic that next year’s general elections will still hold.

Recalling the security threats in the last eight years, he stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was still able to conduct the 2015 and 2019 elections respectively. This, he stated, is a result of close collaboration between the electoral body and security agencies in the country.

“The security situation in the country now is worse than it was in 2015, that is a fact. In fact of that, I believe that there is still hope for a better future,” he said.

“That is the basis of strengthening not just the electoral commission, but also that is the basis of the security agencies working hard to build confidence among the electorates that they can secure the nation for the purposes of the elections.

“Working collaboratively, we should be able to conduct elections across the country in spite of the current security situation.”

The former governor commend security agencies for making concerted efforts in tackling some of the security threats.

He also hailed the electoral body for carrying internally displaced persons along by ensuring that voting is held in the IDP camps in line with the current Electoral Act.

INEC has fixed February 25 for the commencement of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections. The electoral body also released the schedule of activities for the election, paving the way for political parties to commence their campaign as of September 28.

Watch the full interview on Monday by 9:00 pm on Channels Television.