Agboke: Collaboration of security agencies will ensure violence-free election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Osun State has called on collaborating security agencies to join hands to deliver credible polls.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke said this during the continuation of his advocacy visit to electoral stakeholders in the state on Wednesday.

Interacting with the Osun Sector Commander of the Federal Safety Commission (FRSC), Corps Commander Paul Okpe, Agboke revealed that politicians have not awoken to reality and still believed in the past.

He also appealed for cooperation and collaboration between INEC and FRSC.

“Election management in Nigeria is a multilayered activity and every stakeholder must deliver based on the statutory responsibilities regarding the elections.

“Politicians are desperate and believe in bribing to win elections because they still live in the past.

“INEC has introduced technology in the electoral system and it can’t be bypassed even though we are aware that voter buying is ongoing.

“We are going to be careful and whoever is responsible for such whether INEC staff or politicians will be shamed and prosecuted.”

He reminded Okpe that the Commission had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with transport unions which means that elections will not be postponed based on logistics again in Nigeria.

While urging the FRSC to intervene, Agboke assured that INEC is determined to do the right thing and no tension would prevent the election.

Responding, the Osun FRSC boss disclosed that the national headquarters of the road safety watchdog was worried due to the conduct of politicians during elections and electoral violence.

Okpe who expressed optimism that in 2023, Nigeria would get it right added that the general elections would come out as a credible exercise.

“We have hope and every hand should be on deck to deliver a credible election in the country devoid of violence

“INEC coming firm in the electoral process gives hope to Nigeria and affirms belief of other countries on the country’s image.”

He assured that the command had the express directive from the FRSC HQ to work with INEC because it is a collective responsibility that would bring about good leaders across board.

“With that, our journey to a better country would now start.

“We acknowledge that logistics had been a challenge but we pray that everyone would key into the terms and references of the MoU.

“Election is a civic duty and it is better for all hands to be on deck, in doing that, we must bring all Stakeholders and we will share credible intelligence with the commission.”

Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Sa’ad Abubakar in charge of the Osun Nigerian Customs Service promised to support and extend cooperation to the Commission.