Jonathan Nwokpor
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General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, stated on Wednesday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no preferred candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election on Saturday.
According to the ZINGTIE, the Chief of Defence revealed this to the participants in a meeting held in Benin City with the police, INEC, and other security agencies.
According to Musa, the candidate chosen by the state’s voters to be governor will be the president’s favourite.
We want this election to be the most peaceful, he said. That is what Mr. President has mandated.
“Mr President does not have any favourite. His favourite is whoever the people of Edo vote for and that’s what we must ensure that happens.
“The military has the presidential mandate to ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo”, he said.
The military chief added that he was in the state to reassure voters that the military would act professionally and work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, to ensure a peaceful and non-violent election. The military chief also held a strategic meeting with troops prior to the election.
But he issued a warning, saying that any officer trying to sabotage the election would pay a price.
He said that only the statutory security agencies would be permitted to take part in the election, but he also cautioned people against using weapons to threaten voters.
“What I bring from Abuja is peace and assurance that we will act professionally during the election.
“Election must be free, fair and credible; for this implies that any other person with any other intention other than a peaceful election probably will face the consequences.
“I also want to reiterate, though the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, has said it, that the armed forces will not accept any other individual carrying arms.
“Members of local security networks or vigilantes should stay off the election duties, they are not part of the statutory agencies for election”, he said.
The chief of the defence staff promised that anyone who compromises will undoubtedly face the consequences. He also cautioned the soldiers stationed for the election to never give in.
But he filed a lawsuit to force the security agencies to work together.
He added that the security services need to provide a conducive atmosphere so that voters can exercise their right to vote.
“What we have to do is to support the INEC because it is the one conducting the election.
‘The police are the leading agency when it comes to security. So everything we do on security is to support the police to ensure that it is free and fair.
“We have taken part in elections over and over. So this is not going to be a new thing”, he stated.
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