Ahead of the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Imo State, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sylvia Agu, has assured adequate security.
Agu said that 2,300 soldiers from three battalions of the Nigerian army would be deployed for the polls.
She disclosed this on Thursday in Owerri, at a two-day media roundtable and engagement on the election, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper.
The event was organized for journalists by the International Press Center in collaboration with the European Union.
The REC said INEC received assurance from the new Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Usman Lawal, a brigadier-general when a delegation of the electoral commission visited him.
She said the visit was to ascertain their preparation for the governorship election in the state.
“Insecurity, no doubt, remains an issue. It is, however, a thing of joy that the commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, has promised to deploy enough security personnel to ensure a hitch-free election in the state,” the REC said.
“Indeed, he promised that over 2,300 soldiers would be deployed to the state during the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election,” she added.
‘Irregularities marred the 2023 general elections.
While responding to questions from discussants, Mrs. Agu admitted that the 2023 general elections were marred with irregularities and insecurity.
“I acknowledge that there were observable irregularities and security issues during the last presidential, national, and state assembly elections.
“I urge the Imo electorate to avail themselves of the forthcoming electoral opportunity and exercise their franchise without any fear of molestation by non-state actors,” she stated.
“Amid insecurity in the state, we did our best to ensure a seamless and hitch-free election. I came to Imo State one month before the general election, and I was getting myself acquainted with the political environment. The burden was too much on me.”
Imo State has been one of the hotbeds of insecurity in the South-East region and hideouts of the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ESN.
Analysts also believe that the non-diplomatic commitment of Governor Hope Uzodimma to dialogue has exacerbated the security crisis in the state.
In the mode of operations of the unknown gunmen, officials of the INEC and personnel of various security agencies have become their soft targets.
Last year, in a video released in April 2022, they warned the Nigerian government not to hold the 2023 general elections in the south-east and threatened to deal with any election official seen in the region.
Within the same period, the gunmen, who claimed to be Biafran agitators, killed an INEC official, Anthony Okorie, when they attacked a polling unit at Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, where continuous voter registration was being held.
