Election: I-G calls for strengthening of inter-agency collaboration

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has called for the strengthening of inter-agency collaboration for the conduct of credible elections in the country.

Idris made the call at a two-day training for officers and men of the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja on Monday.

The training was organised by Hi Tech Security Services and Training Ltd. in collaboration with the FCT Police Command.

He was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of training, Mr Sani Mohammed.

He enjoined personnel of the force and other security agencies deployed for election duties to abide by the Electoral Act and the 1999 constitution as amended.

“There is no way you can change the rules of the game in the middle of the game,“ he said.

The police boss charged the officers to maintain credibility, neutrality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

In a remark, the AIG in charge of zone 7, Abuja, Mr Godwin Nwobodo, said that if stakeholders play by the rules, elections would be without much challenges.

He said that voters always tend to forgo their franchise during elections to avoid been caught up in election related conflicts.

Nwobodo added that security agencies need to ensure security for the electorate, officials, candidates and materials before, during and after the 2019 elections.

He enjoined participants to be guided by what they would learn from the training to be their guiding principle during the elections.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Bala Chiroma said that the training would afford the police and other security agencies to be better prepared for the elections.

The commissioner, who suggested that the training be a continuous one, said it should also form an integral part of security preparation for subsequent elections.

He said that the training would enhance the capacity of police personnel and other security agencies on election security management ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of FCT, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said that 180,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were ready for collection in the territory.

He urged voters to endeavour to collect their PVCs to be able to vote for candidates of their choice in the upcoming general elections.

Bello, who noted that security was critical to the conduct of credible elections, said that the commission would also organise capacity training for security agencies to compliment the police.

Mr Rudolf Elbling, Project Coordinator, European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), said that the police and other security agencies have critical role to play in securing the electoral process.

He was represented by an official of the centre, Dr. Isiaka Yahaya.

“It is my hope that this training will improve the skills and strengthen commitment of security agencies to promptly respond to cases of security threats,“ he said.

Elbling said voters required a peaceful environment to vote during elections.

He restated the union`s commitment to partner with INEC and other stakeholders on election security within the context of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria.

The coordinator said that the union would support INEC in its plan to organise series of election training for its staff and other security personnel.

The training was attended by participants from the Army, DSS, FRSC, NSCDC and the Nigeria Prisons Service.