Nigerians will be going to the polls this Saturday February 25 to elect their president, 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives. And subsequently for gubernatorial (in some states) and houses of assemblies in the 36 states and FCT on Saturday 11th March.
This is the seventh general election that will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) since the return of democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999 after many years of military interventions in Nigeria.
This also makes it 24 years of unbroken democratic governance in Nigeria. Figures from INEC show that no fewer than 93.4million eligible voters are listed to participate in the elections which will be held in 176,846 polling units across 774 LGAs in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
This is indeed a great achievement that is worth celebrating by Nigeria and friendly nations especially in a continent that is notorious for military coups and dictators, some of whom have been in power for decades. For example, in the last few years, West Africa has witnessed military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea amongst others. But in Nigeria, the story is different, thanks to our military that have remained apolitical and professional over the years.
This is despite attempts by politicians and unscrupulous elements in working with their foreign collaborators to drag the military into the murky waters of politics.
Only recently, a top politician had claimed that some military officers met with a Presidential candidate with the aim of disrupting the general elections and setting the country on fire. The purveyors of the wicked and very malicious propaganda also indicated that the so-called meeting was to plot a Coup d’etat to establish unconstitutional order.
Fortunately, the politician has withdrawn his misleading allegations and has since apologized after it was clear for all that the allegations were unfounded and lacked substance.
These foreign elements have on many occasions predicted doom for Nigerian democracy. Some have gone as far as ‘ prophesying’ that Nigeria will disintegrate. But to their shame Nigeria has reminded one indivisible entity owing to the sacrifice of our military, many of whom have paid the supreme prize to ensure that the country remains one.
Since 1999, the Nigerian military has stuck to its constitutional role as enshrined in the 1999 constitution which is to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria. They only intervene in internal security issues when called upon. The Nigerian Military during successive elections since 1999 have risen to the occasion in protecting our nascent democracy that was the target of those vested interests that have been prowling and looking for that opportunity to truncate not just democracy in Nigeria, but our great country.
Significantly, the Nigerian military has left no one in doubt, including its detractors and naysayers about its unwavering commitment to democracy in Nigeria. This commitment comes from no less a person than the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, who recently declared that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, pledging the military’s readiness to give the necessary support to the Nigeria Police and other internal security agencies to ensure a crisis-free general election in the country this year.
Speaking after laying the wreath at the National Arcade, Abuja, to mark the celebration, Irabor also assured Nigerians that the country’s democracy faces no threat from a military coup as witnessed recently in some West African states. “Democracy has come to stay. Government of the people, by the people and for the people in Nigeria has come to stay. That is an assurance,”
The current crop of military generals we have today have proven over time that they’re professionals to the core. Little wonder, Even when there were suggestions by some sore political losers and desperadoes that the military should come and take over, our gallant officers wasted no time in making it clear that they have “a core mandate to defend the territorial integrity of the nation, and not to get involved or intervene in politics, and to the former, they’re fully committed”.
Specifically, as Nigeria goes to the polls in two days, there are security concerns in some parts of the country. Security experts and civil society organisations have raised concerns that increasing attacks on government facilities, especially offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the South East by criminal elements might affect the ability of registered voters in the zone to fully participate in the 2023 general elections,
Also, INEC has recorded 50 attacks on its facilities across 15 states between 2019 and 2022. Imo State recorded 11, the highest number. The violence has also hit Osun, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Anambra, Taraba, Borno, Ogun, Lagos, Bayelsa, Ondo, and Kaduna states.
But as it is with previous elections, the military high command has consistently reiterated its readiness to work with other security agencies to ensure peaceful polls nationwide.
Also, ongoing military operations across the country have eliminated fears of violence associated with the 2023 General elections. Findings by independent observers have also shown that the military has significantly reduced the capacity of bandits, insurgents and other criminals to undermine the conduct of the general elections.
Fielding questions from journalists about the military’s readiness for the forthcoming polls, the CDS said although the police would remain the frontline security outfit during the elections, the armed forces would support it from the rear.
“I’m sure you know that the police are on the lead. I have been discussing with the IG (Inspector-General of Police) and of course, we’ve also made contingencies; should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted.
“Be rest assured that the armed forces will remain solidly behind the police to give them all the support as required for the 2023 general election.”
Similarly, only last week, The Chief Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, flagged off Operation SAFE CONDUCT in all Nigerian Army Divisions and formations across the country with a directive to all General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and other Formation Commanders of the Nigerian Army to ensure conducive and secure atmosphere in their Areas of Responsibility (AOR) for the successful conduct of the coming 2023 elections.
The Army Chief reiterated the unwavering resolve of the Nigerian Army to strictly adhere to its constitutional role by supporting the Nigeria Police, which is the lead security agency in the 2023 elections security architecture.
He charged the commanders to identify and dominate flash points in their AORs, adding that troops must be alert, proactive and operate jointly with sister services.
In the same vein, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo also met with Principal Staff Officers, Flag Officers Commanding and Operations Base Commanders on the Nigerian Navy’s readiness for 2023 General Elections where he urged the personnel to remain neutral and apolitical.
Similarly, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao also held meeting PSOs, Air Officers Commanding on the 2023 elections and equally advised personnel of the service to remain professional by staying off politics.
Therefore, as things stand, it is clear that the military has accepted democracy as the best option of governance in the country. Since 1999, there have been successful transitions of power from one administration to another, and successful switch of political parties in the states and at the federal level without fear of military interventions.
It is a sign that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has continued to deepen its loyalty to the constitution of the country, while conducting in-house education for its personnel on the benefits of total respect and support for the democratic process.
On the whole, like in past elections, the military has shown commitment to work with other security agencies and services to ensure safety of lives and property during elections, protect integrity of the elections, provide logistics support , provide emergency response when the need arise and foster confidence in the electoral process by remaining neutral and impartial.
It is crystal clear that armed forces, police and the security agencies are battle ready to give a bloody nose to any person or group of persons who may want to scuttle the electoral process.
As law-abiding Nigerians go out to cast their votes for candidates of their choose, they must realize that despite the efforts of INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu in deepening the democratic process and the neutrality of the military, the future of Nigeria democratic lies with all stakeholders particularly the political class. it is time for all- government, security services and agencies, civil society – to work together in strengthening democracy and ensuring that benefits of democratic governance are felt by all Nigerians, it is time for all Nigerians to heed the calls of National Peace Committee on the need for a peaceful and rancor-free general elections.
