By Gabriel Kekong
A civil society group, Centre for Media Advocacy (CMA), has commended and applauded the officers and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for its conduct in the recently-concluded Edo State gubernatorial elections.
In a press statement signed by the Executive Director, Comrade Sule Inuwa and head of Media, Comrade Gabriel Gwajime respectively, CMA lauded the para-military organization for the largely peaceful and orderly elections in Edo State, the high level of professionalism displayed and the non-partisanship during the various stages of the elections. The organization also praised NSCDC for compliance with all COVID-19 protocols. CMA observed that the men and officers of the Corps “are core professional and meticulous,” impressive and matured in the face of intimidation by the electorate.
CMA asserts that the Zoom virtual online call by the Commandant-General Muhammadu Gana Abdullahi, giving marching orders to the Edo State Commandant, officers and men of the troops to adhere strictly to laid down guidelines for elections, and to always be good ambassadors of the corps wherever they find themselves, and his making sure that all officers and men are catered for so as to serve as morale booster, is a welcome development.
Corereporters report that CMA passes a vote of confidence on the NSCDC’s leadership for the last-meeting top-bottom approach to leadership and his transparent management dexterity for this, is what is needed at this time in our country when leaders at the helms of affairs show humane face and are in touch with the grassroots at all times.
CMA added that men and officers of the NSCDC have shown they are abreast of the conduct of security operations before collation, during and after the elections as displayed in the various trainings as embarked upon by the corps. This, the group added, also goes a long way to show the rebranding efforts of the present leadership. The rebranding, CMA further noted, has really taken its toll on the officers and men of the corps.
The group further enumerated some major advantages for the NSCDC to include: the elections monitoring by the Commandant-General across the various states during the 2019 general elections which is viewed as an added advantage to Edo elections. They also acknowledged the security monitoring situation centre embarked upon by the NSCDC to spot any emerging security threats; the adequate protection of the electorate vis-à-vis logistics for materials and the protection of critical national assets, including payment of allowances, feeding at various points in Edo State and prompt surveillance of the environment. The group as well hailed the intelligence gathering mechanism put in place by the leadership.
Accordingly, CMA noted that “the extreme caution, courtesies and professional candour displayed and discharged with excellence to the pride and admiration of the voters who showered accolades and praises on the corps and ensured that the elections were conducted peacefully, transparently and creditably well drew the commendation of local and international observations to the NSCDC, as an agency to be reckoned with in the country.”
CMA therefore salutes the corps for their courage and high level of discipline, patriotism, professionalism and neutrality showed in the conduct of the Edo elections and called on Nigerians to always support and encourage our security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities and mandate and pass a vote of confidence on the pro-active NSCDC leadership in deepening and sustaining our democracy.
