Polls: Military, Police Vow To Defend Democracy
The Military high command and its Police counterparts have vowed to defend the democratic system of government practice by the country with everything within their means.
They spoke at a joint briefing with select journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
Speaking, the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, warned that strong forces would be deployed on those attempting to breach public peace during the elections.
He said, “We are set the conduct a hitch-free election in the country. The AFN is prepared to support the Nigerian Police and other govt agencies responsible for conducting elections. The CDS has sent out strong messages that the AFN is committed to total collaboration with other security agencies to ensure this election is successful.
“The AFN is committed to strong and viable constitutional democracy, we are very loyal to the Nigerian State and we are ready to defend democracy at all costs. During the elections, all our normal operations and duties will continue simultaneously across the country. Operation Safe conduct has been activated to guide the AFN during the general elections.”
He disclosed that the military high command had established a monitoring team as well as operation centers across the country to enable its response to cases of breaches.
Said, “DHQ has established a monitoring team in conjunction with other security agencies that will oversee the process in FCT and all 6 geopolitical zones of the country. Similarly, operations centers have been established in FCT and the 36 states of the country to serve as quick response centers for all distress calls in the event of any breach of peace during the general election.
“I want to use this opportunity to reecho the warning of the CDS to undesirable elements, that the AFN and other security agencies are ready and will subvert any threats to peace and tranquility, and strong force will be applied to those that want to breach public peace during the general election. The AFN has adequately sensitised its personnel on their expected roles throughout the elections.”
The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the police were ready to protect democracy, adding that elections would be free and fair.
He said, “Like the military, we are ready to protect democracy, we are ready to give good security to our electoral process so that we can have free, fair credible, and even acceptable general elections in 2023 in the philosophy of Mr. President who said he wants free fair and credible elections, despite belonging to a political party but he wants to give every Nigerian he rights, liberty to do whatever he wants to do.”
He added that the ban on the unauthorised use of vehicles, sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, unregistered vehicles, and tinted glasses is still in force, saying that police officers on election duties had been ordered to arrest violators of this order.
Adejobi said anyone not enjoying immunity as prescribed by the constitution should not come to the polling units with their details.
He added that governors and others covered by immunity have been advised to only show up with their ADC.
