By Victor Akaa
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for the people of Edo to exercise their voting rights without hindrance.
He disclosed this when he visited Edo State yesterday to assess the preparedness of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the upcoming governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director Defence Information revealed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
During his meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki, General Musa emphasized that the Armed Forces and other security agencies will conduct themselves professionally throughout the electoral process.
“I want to assure the good people of Edo State, the Armed Forces and other security agencies are going to act professionally in the conduct of the election,” he noted.
General Musa issued a stern warning to individuals with malicious intentions, stating that they should leave the state or face the consequences of the law. He reiterated that the military will not tolerate any individual carrying arms or weapons, underscoring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate for a peaceful election. “Armed Forces will not accept any individual carrying arms and weapons of any kind.”
The Defence Chief assured Edo citizens of their security, urging them to participate en masse in the election. He clarified that the Nigerian Police will provide general security, while the military will offer backup support.
General Musa also reminded military personnel to maintain professionalism before, during, and after the election, noting that a standby court-martial is in place to address any misconduct.
In response, Governor Obaseki expressed gratitude for the CDS’s visit, acknowledging the military’s invaluable support in maintaining security in the state. He underscored the strategic importance of the Edo election to national security and reassured the CDS of the state’s continued cooperation with the Armed Forces and security agencies.
Earlier, while addressing stakeholders, General Musa emphasized the global attention focused on the Edo election, urging them to create an enabling environment for citizens to cast their votes freely.
Additional security measures have been deployed to monitor security agencies involved in the election.
