As an actor and also a Stakeholder in election matters, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Delta State Command Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun has harped on the needs and factors that will guarantee a free, fair and credible election in the 2023 general election.
The Commandant made these revelations in his office through a press Statement issued by the State Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Delta State Command Dsc Emeka Peters Okwechime.
In the Statement, the Commandant said that the credibility of the 2023 general election will be adjudged by the level of professionalism, operational guide, regiments, standards and conduct of party men, women, youths, stakeholders, politicians, political parties, civil societies, critical stakeholders including Security Agents, exhibited before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
On this premise, I therefore charge officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to be Neutral and Remain Apolitical as the political campaigns of various political parties and their candidates kick start nation wide. I urged my personnel to remain firm, committed, Proffessional and resolute in discharging their constitutional duties.
It will be recalled that the NSCDC mandate is not limited to the protection of all government critical national assets and infrastructure, licensing, monitoring and regulating the activities of private security gaurds but includes protection of electorates and professionals, orientation, early warnings, crisis and disaster Management among others.
We must display our commitment to build public trust and confidence to maintain national peace, security and a determined zeal to advance the tenets of democracy, democratic values and national security
Dsc Emeka Okwechime said that the Commandant ordered all Area Commanders, the 25Divisional Officers to work closely with INEC officials and political party leaders in their various areas and Local Government with a formidable synergy and collaboration with other sister Security Agencies in order to be aware of all political activities in the campaign time tables for the provision of adequate security protection. The idea was to address any form of conflicts in venues, dates and time during campaigns.
The NSCDC Spokes man Dsc Emeka Peters pointed out that his boss warned all private security outfits established in our local communities under different structures and operations, which have no legal roles in the Electoral Act to steer clear and allow the Electoral Security Actors (ESA) to perform their legitimate duties.
Consequent upon this, you are charged to ensure that they are not involved or used by any political or local community actor in any activity during the electioneering campaign and other electoral process. It will amount to gross illegality and also a threat to the nation’s security architecture which can jeopardise National Democratic Process (NDP) Akinsanya posited.
He warned politicians, youths and mischief makers to shun any form of violence, campaigns of calumny, character assassinations, malicious statements, hate speech among others culpable of breeching the peace. They should rather engaged on issue based campaign and proffer more solutions for a better Nigeria. He urge citizens not to take to crime but have a rethink, adding that the NSCDC is committed to deal decisively with such person or persons with the extant laws of the land.
