Successful Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Polls: The Military’s Contribution
By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi
The gubernatorial polls of last weekend in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States have been won and lost. However, there is a need to commend our joint security forces, especially the Military and police for their collective efforts in adequately policing the exercise.
Although security challenges and glitches were encountered here and there, they were so insignificant to the extent that they couldn’t undermine the process. Because our security forces were on top of their games.
Prior to the election, social commentators and other analysts expressed worry over the tension and tensed political environment in the three States, that may prevent electorates from exercising their civic rights.
Though electoral violence have for years become part and parcel of Nigeria’s electioneering process, these three gubernatorial polls came at a time when the security challenges are quite alarming nationwide.
It was against this background that critical stakeholders in the security industry deemed it obligatory for them to roll out measures of assuring a seamless and hitch free enfranchisement process in these three states.
In that respect, the electoral umpire- Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Service, DSS, the Nigerian Police Force and other paramilitary agencies synergized in order to achieve this mandate which has now become a history.
Recall that on the eve of the election, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, assures residents of Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states of security preparedness and commitment during the off-cycle elections that was held yesterday (Saturday).
Furthermore, he warns against violence by political actors and charges security agencies to adhere to professional code of ethics during the conduct of the exercise.
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The NSA, who is the Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security charged all security, intelligence and law enforcement officers deployed on election security duties to conduct themselves creditably.
Also in his part, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has previously read riot act to those bad elements who may wish to disrupt the just concluded November 11 governorship elections to have a second thought.
He assured residents of the three states not to entertain any fear, adding that the armed forces would provide full support to the police to ensure that the elections are free and fair.
“The Armed Forces, the police and other security agencies would be on ground. Every Nigerian, we are sure, is tired of elections with violence and this will try to make a difference.“We want at the end of the day, every Nigerian should be proud of, first to be a Nigerian and to understand that elections are now free and fair.
“We want everybody who wins our elections to be happy that he won very well without any intimidation,’’ Gen Musa said.
Also speaking, the Inspector General Of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, said there would be no room for those planning to perpetrate trouble or violence in the states to operate.
“We are aware of negative mobilizations by some supporters of some candidates and we are already monitoring them. We are ready for them for these elections. I appeal to them to stay away from this election.
“I also appeal to the electorate to come out en masse to cast their votes during this election. We are committed to peaceful elections and not going back,’’ he said.
It is evident that during the last weekend elections across the three states, joint security forces were sighted patrolling communities in order to provide maximum security across the polling stations.
These efforts have helped a lot in foiling criminals’ attempts to undermine the electoral process. Thus, people’s voices have triumphed at last.
MUKHTAR is the author of a book on “National Security Strategy” and is a staff writer with the Emergency Digest.
