Visit Of Chief Of Defence Staff: Gov Fubara Tasks Military On Peaceful Conduct Of Off-Season Election
...Assures Of Amicable Resolution Of Political Crisis In Rivers State
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says the forthcoming off-season election in some selected states should be conducted transparently to become one of the best in the country.
The governor insisted that the military has to do everything possible to be professional while discharging its responsibilities in order not to truncate the election. Sir Fubara gave the advice when he played host to the 18th Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwarbin Musa, who was on a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu is also interested in a free and fair election to allow the will of the electorate to prevail, which is why he has given matching orders to the military to ensure that there is no intimidation or molestation during the electioneering period.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has his theme, which is “Renewed Hope Agenda,” and I strongly believe that free and fair elections are part of it. That is why he must have commissioned you to make sure that this off-season election is conducted in a manner that will reflect that the people voted for who they want.
“So, I want to thank you for taking the pains of moving from one state to another to put the right things in place. I strongly believe that this off-season election is going to be transparent and one of the best conducted.”
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Governor Fubara also applauded the Army, Navy, and Air Force for the various roles played, complimenting the Nigerian Police for helping to ensure security in Rivers State.
On the recent political crisis in the state, Governor Fubara assured that it was a family affair and that whatever the issues were, they would be resolved amicably.
He further stated that the political tension raised in the state will be doused and every contending issue amicably resolved for the state to move forward.
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwarbin Musa assured the Rivers State Governor that the military will not renege on their statutory mandate, maintaining peace and preserving the unity of Nigeria.
General Musa said modalities have been put in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the November 11 off-season elections warning that any officer that compromises the process would be prosecuted.
The Chief of Defence Staff acknowledged the strategic importance and contributions of Rivers State to Nigeria’s economic development, assured the protection of the nation’s assets, and check the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
