2023: INEC partners Army for peaceful election

By Kingsley Chukwuka

A statement signed by the Acting Duputy Director Army Public Relations 3 Division Lieutenant Colonel Ishaku Takwa has explained that newly appointed INEC boss in Plateau State,

Dr Oliver Tersoo Agundu has solicited the corporation of the General Officer Commanding and Commander, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Ibrahim Ali, towards a peaceful election in 2023.

Agundu made the call on Friday in Jos when he paid a familiarization visit to the Army boss.

Speaking at the visit, Agundu noted that

adequate security is key to providing an enabling environment for Nigerians to exercise their franchise in the 2023 General elections.

He further solicited for effective collaboration between the Nigerian Army and INEC to ensure that hoodlums are not allowed to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic adventure.

He informed the GOC/Commander OPSH of the ongoing display of preliminary voters register to enable the voters check their names at various wards, as well as encouraged eligible voters, including soldiers and officers to avail themselves the opportunity to cross-check their names.

“An Electoral Party monitoring unit has also been constituted to monitor activities of political parties, to ensure peace is maintained on the Plateau, revealing that non-sensitive materials for the election will soon be distributed to various Local Government Areas”, he said.

In response, Gen. Ali, described the visit as timely considering the significance of the synergy with critical stakeholders in ensuring safe and secured elections.

Ali noted that the activities of the commission are increasing by the day, hence the need for collaboration to defeat the enemies of the state and ensure a free, fair and credible Election come 2023. He assured the REC of protection of INEC materials and personnel before, during and after the  elections.

The GOC affirmed that the Nigerian Army remain committed to its constitutional mandate of protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure, materials and personnel within the ambit of the law.