The Nation

TMG warns against use of security agencies to undermine 2023 elections

BY Ahmad Sahabi

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The Transformation Monitoring Group (TMG), a civil society organisation (CSO), has warned against the use of security agencies to undermine the 2023 elections.

In a statement, Auwal Rafsanjani, chairman of the group, said electoral integrity is the only way to consolidate democratic values.

He said if politicians use security agencies to mar elections, it will undermine the popular demand and aspirations of Nigerians to have free, fair, and credible elections.

“We call on our security agencies most especially the Nigerian army and police force not to compromise the integrity of the 2023 elections,” Rafsanjani said.

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“Security operatives should remain professional and not be biased or induced by political parties. We call on political parties to respect the wishes of the system and not undermine the elections. In situations where security officials are not adequately paid and have been sent to electoral fields, they are likely to be compromised.

“Electoral integrity is the only way to consolidate democratic values. Nigerians must resist politicians who want to water down the effort to have free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria by their planned agenda to use security agencies.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Lucky Irabor, chief of defence staff, said the military will resist pressure to compromise the 2023 elections.

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The defence chief said the military will remain neutral and assist the police in monitoring and securing the process.

Irabor maintained that the military is apolitical, noting that necessary measures are being put in place to ensure that they obey President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to maintain neutrality.

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