The attacks on INEC offices and facilities around the country have been deemed a threat to Nigeria’s democracy by Major General Aminu Chinade, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Major General Chinade made this statement when the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, Oyo State, Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahman and his team recently paid him a courtesy call in his office in Ibadan.
The GOC emphasized that the military, other security agencies, and even 2 Division as stakeholders are charged, guided, and focused on the peaceful conduct of the general election in 2023 notwithstanding his claim that the act is intended to end democratic government in the nation.
He gave an assurance of the military through its operation safe conduct will continue to give all necessary support, work with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth deliverance of the INEC mission of free, fair and peaceful elections in the country.
The GOC used the occasion to welcome the INEC Commissioner to Oyo State, thanked him for the briefing and update on the operations and the level of preparedness of the commission in the state.
Earlier, Dr. Tella Adeniran, the resident electoral commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo State, praised the military for their order, behavior, and impartiality during the nation’s electoral seasons.
Dr. Tella observed that the commission relies on the military and other security services to conduct free, fair, and credible elections while asking for the deployment of military soldiers to secure all INEC offices in the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner stated that the commission’s goal is for every election to be a complete success; as a result, he called for military proactivity, prompt military deployment to polling places, sealing of all assessment boundaries (roads), uniformity of security for simple identification, and enforcement of the no movement order on election day.
Highlights of the event is the exchange of souvenir and group photograph.