THE Nigerian armed forces are committed to providing security at the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Imo. Kogi and Bayelsa states.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who gave the assurance on Monday, October 30 in Owerri, after a meeting with heads of security agencies in Imo State, also assured that troops would remain apolitical to ensure free, fair, credible and inclusive elections that Nigerians would be proud of.
Musa, while commending the Imo State Government’s support of the activities of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state, code-named Operation Udoka, stated that President Bola Tinubu had no favourite candidate in the elections and charged military personnel to remain nonpartisan.
He appealed to Nigerians to have trust and belief in the security agencies by turning out to vote on Election Day, adding: “Do not be scared; security forces are here and we will ensure your safety. Come out and vote. It will be free, fair and inclusive process.
“This is President Bola Tinubu’s first election since assuming office and he does not want any room for malpractice. He wants the most popular candidate to win, so the elections will be free, fair, credible and inclusive.
“Nigerians expect so much from us and we will not let anyone down.’’
Earlier, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Agu, thanked the security agencies for their commitment to a successful election in Imo, hoping that with the deployment of adequate personnel, the election would be hitch-free free.
