…Security agencies also assures of readiness
Amid widespread apprehension and crisis occasioned by the new Naira redesign policy, and insinuations that it is a ploy to prevent vote-buying, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday declared that it had concluded plans to conduct the general elections beginning next Saturday.
In a similar vein, the Nigeria Police, military high commands, other security agencies, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) all reassured Nigerians of their readiness to supervise and ensure a peaceful 2023 elections.
During the week, protests erupted across the country over the new Naira scarcity, heightening tension in the polity and apprehension that the protests could affect the impending polls negatively. However, INEC, seemingly unperturbed by the insinuations, has gone ahead to put the final touches to its preparation for the elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as part of activities to put perfectly the Commissions preparation for Saturdays poll, at the weekend visited the training centre for Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers.
Yakubu also inspected the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, the venue for the final collation of the 2023 general elections results.
Addressing newsmen at the ICC, Yakubu dismissed reports of any planned postponement of the general elections, declaring that the Commission is good to go.
By this time next week, Nigerians will be voting in over 176,000 polling units nationwide, and the outcome of that process for the presidential election will be compiled here and announced, he stated.
He further disclosed that the Commission would meet with heads of security agencies to discuss more on safeguarding the environment for a peaceful election.
Were working together and the security agencies have assured and reassured us that they will secure the environment for elections to go on peacefully nationwide, he said.
Giving an update on his recent visit to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over the cash crunch, the INEC chairman expressed optimism that the Commissions demand would be met with a positive response.
While explaining the modalities of voting on Election Day, Yakubu said there would be four staff at polling units (PUs), including the Presiding Officers (POs), and Assistant Presiding Officers I, II, and III.
Meanwhile, responding to questions on the preparedness for the election, Military and Police spokesmen said they were fully prepared to assist INEC in giving the nation the best election ever.
Police spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi said Police has reassured Nigerians that it was ready for the election. Security-wise, the police is good to go. INEC will speak on its drives and technicalities, Adejobi said.
Nigerias Defence Headquarters also reiterated its readiness to support the police, which is the lead agency in ensuring a peaceful poll.
According to Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Musa ?anmadami, Nigerians should rest assured that operations are going on to ensure a peaceful election. An election was conducted in Anambra State and it was successful and a winner emerged and was sworn-in. We are not the lead agency; our responsibility is to support the Police and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
