The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has assured voters in Edo State of a peaceful, free, and fair governorship election.
Speaking with stakeholders and military personnel in Benin, Musa confirmed that this directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate.
“My message from Abuja is one of peace and assurance that we will conduct ourselves professionally during the election.
“The election must be free, fair, and credible; anyone with intentions contrary to a peaceful election will face repercussions,” he said.
The CDS said the military will maintain professionalism while working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a violence-free election. He warned that any attempt to disrupt the process would face severe consequences and reminded the public that only authorised security agencies are permitted to oversee election duties.
Local vigilante groups were cautioned to stay away from polling areas.
He further instructed deployed troops to remain impartial, warning that any personnel found compromising their duties would face disciplinary action.
The military’s role, he stated, is to create a secure environment for voters, supporting the police and INEC in ensuring the election’s fairness.
Musa commended the troops for their readiness and hard work, which often goes unnoticed, and encouraged them to cooperate with other security agencies, including the police, Civil Defence, and DSS, to ensure a smooth election process. He expressed his desire for this to be the most peaceful election in Edo’s history, affirming that the President has no favourite candidate and that the people’s choice must prevail.
During a meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki, Musa restated the military’s commitment to ensuring a credible election in the state, adding that political actors must avoid creating unnecessary tension.
Restrictions on movement and a ban on carrying weapons during the election were also announced.
Musa assured the troops that their welfare and allowances would be properly managed throughout the exercise.