Since Nigeria transitioned from military to civilian rule in 1999, for only the second time, no name of the incumbent president will be on the ballot during the 2023 presidential election. And, under a new electoral law, it is hoped that the process will be more credible than ever before.
The polls will also be taking place amid an epidemic of insecurity. From Islamist militancy to separatist agitations, and with banditry and farmers-herders conflicts in between, no geopolitical zone in Nigeria is unaffected.
More worrisome is the widespread insecurity and the recent new Naira redesign, businesses dying, and scarcity of petrol across the country, hence there are tendencies of outbursts which could disrupt the elections, but the Nigerian Police which is the lead agency has continually assured Nigerians of their safety at the polls.
Nonetheless, guaranteeing the security of voters, election materials, and polling officials will be a herculean task for security agencies which can make or mar the whole electoral process.
However, as the nation counts down to the February 25, 2023 Presidential/National Assembly elections, fears of widespread violence to truncate the transition of government have occupied the front burner of national discourse.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria whose mandate is to protect the territorial integrity of this country has been engaged in war with Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North East and bandits in the North West and North Central, separatists groups in the South East, economic saboteurs in the South South and other criminal elements in the South West.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor had said the military would provide support to the Police and other security agencies to ensure free, fair, and credible polls.
Irabor also assured Nigerians of safety during the 2023 general elections.
Irabor noted that the Armed Forces has been monitoring the electioneering process and polity closely.
Irabor assured that the Armed Forces will support the police as the lead agency handling the electioneering process.
He pledged the commitment of the Armed Forces to ensuring security during the polls.
More so, the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba while admitting to the issues of crime and criminality in certain states of the federation, said it will look into the agitations that have led to apprehension and uncertainty by Nigerian towards the conduct of credible polls.
On his part, National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Babagana Monguno said although, there were issues confronting the polity, he, however, said agitations geared towards the conduct of 2023 should be dispelled as the election will go on without any rancour.
He added that the security outfits have put in place measures to ensure that Nigerians exercise their franchise without fear.
According to him, “We have done a lot to put things in place. We have had meetings with INEC, Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES) which I chair. I know what we have put on the ground.
“All of us here who are the managers of securing the process know our responsibilities and we are not in any doubt.”
He also dispelled illusions by agents of fake news and misinformation that the elections would not hold.
“Every Nigerian that will go out to exercise their franchise will do that in a secure atmosphere.
“I have confidence in the security architecture as well as intelligent reports from them and they have assured us. The remaining 17 days before the elections will be an intense period for us and I know that all security agencies are equal to the task,” he said.
On their part, both the Air Force and Navy have availed INEC of their platforms to deliver election materials in hard-to-reach regions.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao also during his meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants, and units Commanders held at Headquarters NAF, Abuja charged personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to remain apolitical throughout the elections.
Air Marshal Amao, urged the Commanders to sensitize NAF personnel on the Code of Conduct for Armed Forces of Nigeria during elections, while also reminding them to be apolitical, particularly now that the elections are close.
He added that the NAF will commence what he described as a realistic pre-induction training in all its units for personnel that would be deployed for election support duties.
He also charged NAF Commanders to synergy with other security agencies within their Areas of Responsibility towards organizing joint inter-agency training to enhance the capacity of law-enforcement agencies in discharging their respective roles during the elections.
“NAF personnel are expected to work in synergy with other security agencies within their respective Areas of Responsibilities to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections,” he said.
The CAS highlighted that part of NAF’s responsibilities to provide aid to civil authority, include assisting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the airlift of election materials to various parts of the country.
Air Marshal Amao also charged field commanders in various theatres of operation across the country to sustain the tempo of operations and onslaught against terrorists.
According to him, going by recent happenings in the country, it has become imperative for personnel to avoid any actions or utterances that could tarnish the image of the Service.
While commending the efforts of Commanders and personnel at various theatres of operations across the country, the CAS noted that the remarkable successes recorded so far against insurgency and terrorism were a result of hard work, dedication, and sacrifices.
Speaking further, the CAS disclosed that the NAF, in 2021 and 2022 alone, trained a total of 9,148 personnel locally and 786 personnel overseas cutting across all aircrew and ground specialties.
According to him, currently, a total of 122 personnel are undergoing foreign training while 1,057 are on local training and more would be processed for training in the course of the year.
The CAS went further to state that NAF has developed a workable skill retention strategy to sustain excellence and quality by re-engaging selected highly skilled retired personnel in the scarce skills categories as instructors and mentors to pass on expertise and best practices to the junior ones.
Air Marshal Amao commended the unwavering support of the Federal Government to the NAF, noting that the Service has acquired new and modern platforms and expects delivery of more within the year to boost its equipment holding. This, he noted, will go a long way in boosting NAF air power capabilities.
He thanked the AOCs and Commanders for their commitment to the NAF so far and spurred them not to rest in their oars towards fulfilling their obligation to the nation.
He, however, tasked them to resuscitate regimentation and military traditions in their respective military formations and ensure discipline among the personnel as it remains the hallmark of the military profession.
In the same move, the Nigerian Army also warned its personnel against Acts Capable of tarnishing the service and expressed optimism about troops’ readiness towards the forthcoming general elections.
A team of Operations Assessment Team led by the Direct Exams, Department of Army Standard and Evaluation (DASE) Brigadier General Adamu Yari Yakubu gave this warning during an assessment visit to troops of the Guard’s brigade at the Brigade Forward Operations Base, Abaji in Kwali Local Government Area here in the Federal Capital Territory.
A statement by the Assistant Director Public Relations Guards Brigade Capt Godfrey Abakpa said the team expressed optimism with the level of preparation by the combined troops adding that synergy is key toward ensuring a hitch-free election.
The team noted further that Nigerians must conduct themselves to get things right stressing that electoral violence would not be tolerated from any quarter.
“In line with the Chief of Army Staff zeal to ensure that Nigerians go out en masse to vote the candidate of their choice under a secured and peaceful atmosphere, and Guards Brigade determination to secure and defend the federal Capital Territory against all forms of illegality, during and after the upcoming 2023 general elections, Troops has again be warned against any act that may drag the Nigerian Army in the mud,” he said
The Commander Guards Brigade Brigadier General Aminu Umar represented by the Assistant Chief of Staff, Lt Col Kayode Akinsowon in his remark said troops of the Brigade in synergy with sister security agencies have put all peck in the round hole to ensure that the Federal Capital Territory remains safe and secured before and after the elections.
The combined troops according to them are also sensitised on electoral law and code of conduct for the Armed Forces to ensure that no group of persons mislead them.
The Commanding Officer 176 Guard’s Battalion, Lt Col Olumide Akingbesote after briefing the team on the effort of the Brigade also conducted them around some facilities before visiting troops deployed at various points.
The Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Lawal Gambo had also warned that severe sanctions would be meted on Nigerian Navy Commanders for acts of indiscipline, fraud or connivance with criminal elements in the performance of their duties.
