INEC Resident Election Commissioner (REC) in Imo state, Sylvia Agu, said 2,300 soldiers from three battalions of the nigerian army it would be deployed for the state’s Nov. 11 gubernatorial election.
Ms Agu, a teacher, revealed this on Thursday in Owerri, at a two-day media roundtable and engagement on the election, according to a report by the newspaper Vanguardia.
The event was organized for journalists by the International Press Center in collaboration with the European Union.
The REC said INEC received assurances from the new commander of the Nigerian Army’s 34th Artillery Brigade, Usman Lawal, a brigadier general when an election commission delegation visited him.
She said the visit was to check his readiness for the state’s gubernatorial election.
“Insecurity, without a doubt, continues to be a problem. However, it is a matter of joy that the commander of the 34th Artillery Brigade, Obinze, has promised to deploy enough security personnel to ensure smooth elections in the state,” the REC said.
“In fact, he promised that more than 2,300 soldiers will be deployed in the state during the gubernatorial elections on November 11, 2023,” he added.
Irregularities marred the 2023 general elections
While answering questions from participants, Ms. Agu admitted that the 2023 general election was marred by irregularities and insecurity.
“I recognize that there were observable irregularities and security problems, during the last presidential, national and state assembly elections.
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“I urge the Imo electorate to seize the next electoral opportunity, to exercise their right to vote, without fear of being disturbed by non-state actors,” he said.
“In the midst of insecurity in the state, we did everything we could to ensure a smooth and seamless election. I came to Imo State one month before the general election and was getting familiar with the political environment. The burden was too much for me.”
Background
Like other states in south-eastern Nigeria, security has deteriorated in Imo state with frequent attacks by armed individuals.
Attacks often target security agencies, government officials, and facilities.
Several people have been killed or injured in such attacks.
INEC officials and staff from various security agencies have recently become targets of attacks in Imo state by gunmen said to be part of the Biafran unrest in south-eastern Nigeria.
Four masked gunmen, in April 2022, posted a video warning the Nigerian government not to hold the 2023 general election in the south-east and threatened to deal with any election officials seen in the region.
In the same period, gunmen, who claimed to be Biafran rioters, killed an INEC official, Anthony Okorie, when they attacked a polling unit in the Ihitte Uboma local government area of Imo state, where voting was taking place. continued voter registration.
Furthermore, several INEC facilities have been attacked, and some were set on fire, by armed men throughout the state and region.
The Nigerian government has charged the outlaws Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied the accusation.
IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra that it wants to separate from the south-east and some parts of the south-south of Nigeria.
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