By Abdul Rahman Aliagan
The most acceptable political ideology the world over today is modern democracy with its paraphernalia such as the rule of law, fundamental human right, freedom of press, frequent and consistent elections. As postulated by Political Scientists, there can be elections without democracy but there cannot be democracy without elections.
Instructively, the beauty of any democracy is brazenly laced with the conduct of an election in such a society and these elections must be free, fair, credible and must be secured. Elections are at the core of the democratic process; and casting vote remains the supreme sovereign right of every citizen. As a result, it is incumbent on government to ensure that all security agencies are put on their toes to ensure credibility of the democratic rituals.
To this extent, security is central and critical to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, starting from the provision of basic security to voters at political party rallies and campaigns to ensuring that all INEC materials are well protected as well as the whole electoral process is circumscribed by security considerations.
The 2015 general elections marked a genuine celebration of democracy in Africa’s most populous country and a key member of the Commonwealth. Previously held notions that Nigeria can only hold flamed elections are now being discarded and this country can now shake off that stigma and redeem her image.
However, we are convinced that security preparations for the elections are a critical factor in the general acceptability of the elections. This was why the Federal Government of Nigeria’s first line of defense against election violence was a coordinated approach of the various security agents to forestall any security threat to smooth electoral process. Among the security agents that lived up to the billings is the Nigeria Security and civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Through these systematic and coordinated approaches, so many security threats, flashpoints and other electoral related challenges were nipped in the board, as the just concluded elections were rated the most free, fair and credible, inspite of the pockets of violence in some areas of the country.
With this, the power of the incumbency was somehow curtailed and sundry malpractices were equally checkmated to some reasonable extent.
Before the start of the general elections, as part of the preparatory measure of the Corps, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, declared the Corps’ readiness to provide security throughout the country for the 2015 general elections.
Abolurin was of the opinion that the nation needed peace and the personnel should see themselves as agents and vanguards of peace based on their orientation and contributions through the various town hall meetings and stakeholders progarmme organized for the purpose of peaceful conduct of the elections as well as the co-existence of the nation.
Meanwhile, the Commandant General while handling down directives to the zonal commanders, DCGs and State Commanders, warned against compromise or any activity that could label them as engaging in partisan politics. As stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process he said the Corps is expected to redouble its efforts and work hard to deliver violence free polls. He reiterated that efforts have been put in place by the government to make the exercise smooth and hitch free
Putting all modalities in place for the effective monitoring before, during and after the elections, officers of the Corps were deployed to all identified black spots, collating centers, INEC offices as well as designated centers that were likely to be prone to attack with the collaborative efforts of all security apparatus in order to ensure hitch- free polls.
No fewer than 500 trained sniffer dogs, 300 oerational vehicles and 100 surveillance vehicles and ambulances were deployed to further boost the security of the electorate, electoral officials as well as sensitive and non sensitive materials before, during and after the elections.
The existence of the Corps as a matter of fact brought hope as an agency that is all out with the sincerity of purpose in bringing change to the society through efficient and effective execution of her mandate through her contribution towards tackling the wave of insecurity in the nation.
This was shown at the scene created by ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, before the final results of the presidential result was released. Most of the security operatives at the center suddenly withdrew their services expect for a few policemen and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.
Jega’s saving grace was the live telecast of the announcement which enabled Nigerians to have firsthand knowledge of how things were going on. However, he braved the odds to complete the 2015 assignment with the help of the few security agents.
However, the Corps have been commended for the role played during the 2015 general elections. It was noted that the due diligence and professionalism of officers of the agency and other security agencies were responsible for the relative peace in the country during the polls.
The Agency was extolled for their dedication which was displayed by all members of the Corps and were urged not to relent in their efforts and passion for contributing their quota to the progress and development of their fatherland.
The Corps is however encouraged not to forget the Corp’s watchword which is ‘Humility and Integrity” in service delivery.
The conduct of the Corps and other security agencies at all the polling units across the federation certainly contributed largely to the success of the polls.
All the state commands, including the FCT, are charged to redouble their efforts at ensuring zero tolerance for corruption by upholding the corps’ slogan of “collect bribe and die”, compromise and be kidnapped”. Nigerians are also enjoined to shun violence and work for the peace and unity of the country.
