OWERRI, Nigeria — To ensure peace and order during the upcoming governorship elections in Imo State, about 2,300 soldiers will be stationed across the state’s 27 councils.
This revelation came on Thursday, August 17, 2023, from the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Sylvia Agu, during a two-day media roundtable sponsored by the International Press Centre, IPC, with funding support from the European Union under the Democratic Governance in Nigeria initiative.
The Commander of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade in Obinze, close to the state capital, Owerri, gave assurances to Agu about the proposed deployment.
“I’ve engaged in discussions with the Brigadier General, and he confirmed that roughly 2,300 soldiers would be mobilized across the state during the election,” Prof. Agu elaborated.
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The REC further emphasized the commission’s commitment to transparency, promising journalists real-time updates on electoral proceedings and voter civic education.
This move aims to refute speculations suggesting her involvement in election malpractices during previous general elections in the state.
Elaborating on past challenges, Agu recounted the mass resignation of ad-hoc workers and private drivers on election day, citing security concerns.
Despite these setbacks, the commission was able to rally, deploying 501 workers during the election.
She clarified that only two constituencies encountered significant issues, resulting in election cancellations and subsequent re-runs.
In her plea to media practitioners, Prof. Agu urged for responsible journalism, emphasizing the need to avoid sensationalist reporting, misinformation, hate speech, and other potential pitfalls.
She believes that organizing debates for candidates and focusing on public enlightenment campaigns can assist the commission in effectively disseminating vital electoral information.
The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, represented by Ayo Aluko-Olokun, Editor of the Nigerian Democratic Report, and IPC Programme Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, commended the European Union for their funding support.
Both encouraged participants to implement their training during the election coverage diligently.
