President Tinubu Has No Favourite in Edo Governorship Election – Chief of Defence Staff

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has made it clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not have a preferred candidate in the upcoming Edo State governorship election.

Musa made this statement on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, which included representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies.

Musa emphasized that President Tinubu’s stance is for the will of the people to prevail. “The President’s favourite will be the candidate that the people of Edo State choose,” he said.

He further highlighted the President’s directive to ensure the election remains peaceful, stating, “We want this election to be the most peaceful. That is the mandate from Mr. President.”

General Musa also reiterated the military’s role in supporting a free, fair, and credible election, assuring stakeholders that they would adhere to professional standards.

“The military has the presidential mandate to ensure a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo,” he said.

Ahead of the election, the Chief of Defence held strategic meetings with troops stationed in the state, reiterating the importance of maintaining order.

He sought to reassure the public, promising that the military’s presence would ensure a peaceful process devoid of violence and intimidation.

However, he also issued a strong warning against any attempts by officers or individuals to disrupt the voting process.

In a firm statement, General Musa warned officers deployed for the election to remain neutral and avoid compromising the integrity of the poll.

He added that any officer found guilty of breaching this directive would face severe consequences.

Additionally, he warned the public, particularly individuals who might attempt to carry arms or intimidate voters, that only authorised security agencies would be allowed to provide security during the election.

“What I bring from Abuja is peace and assurance that we will act professionally during the election,” Musa stated.

He further cautioned against the involvement of local security networks or vigilante groups, stressing that only statutory security agencies would be involved in election security duties.

The Chief of Defence Staff also called for cooperation among all security agencies to ensure a smooth election process.

He urged security forces to provide a conducive environment for the electorate to cast their votes, emphasising that INEC was the lead agency in the conduct of the election, while the police would head security operations.

He concluded by stating that the military’s role would be to support INEC and the police, ensuring a peaceful and fair election. “We have taken part in elections over and over.

So this is not going to be a new thing,” he remarked, reiterating the importance of maintaining peace and professionalism throughout the process.

With the election drawing near, all eyes are on Edo State, as stakeholders and security agencies prepare to ensure a credible and peaceful election, free from intimidation or violence.