The series of attacks on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices and facilities across the acountry have been described as threat to democratic governance in Nigeria. This is According to Major General Aminu Chinade, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Major-General Chinade said this during a recent courtesy visit in Ibadan by Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahman, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo State.
The GOC reiterated that the military, other security agencies, and even 2 Division as stakeholders are tasked, guided, and keen on the smooth conduct of the general election in 2023 despite the attacks which he claimed that, the act is intended to end democratic rule in the country.
In order to ensure that INEC’s mission of holding free, fair, and peaceful elections in the nation is successfully accomplished, he assured that the military will continue to provide all necessary support and work with all stakeholders as part of its operation safe conduct.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the GOC welcomed the INEC Commissioner to Oyo State and thanked him for providing an update on the organization’s operations and state of readiness.
Earlier, Dr. Tella Adeniran, the resident electoral commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state of Oyo, praised the military in mitigating the attacks and for its order, conduct, and neutrality during the nation’s electoral periods. While asking for the deployment of military personnel to secure all INEC offices in the state, Dr. Tella made note of the commission’s reliance on the military and other security agencies to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner stated that the commission’s goal is to deliver 100 percent success in every election. As a result, he called for military proactivity, prompt military deployment to polling places, sealing of all assessment boundaries (roads), uniformity of security for easy identification, and enforcement of the no movement order on election day in avoidance of any form of attacks. The event’s exchange of gifts and group photo are its highlights.