e unions and service providers should abide by the spirit and letter of the MoU and the contract agreements.
“That the vehicles and boats to be deployed be properly tracked by the FRSC to avoid diversion of personnel and materials, that the security agencies give adequate protection to the drivers and their vehicles in the course of duty,” the civil society group noted.”
CTA also lamented the continuous attacks on INEC facilities, saying the development still poses major threats to the outcome of the 2023 general elections.
According to the group, with less than three months to the general elections, security agencies must step up their game by way of intelligence gathering, if the polls must hold unhindered.
CTA reminded electoral stakeholders that while the 2023 elections will hold across the country on February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, the Governorship and States House of Assembly Elections will equally hold on March 2023. “INEC should be conscious that the world is keenly watching us,” the body stated.
It condemned in strong terms the ugly and alarming trend of burning INEC offices and materials in recent times. Warning that this dangerous and criminal act if left unchecked could pose a grave danger to the 2023 general elections.
“The CTA views this act of arsons as unpatriotic and wonders why some people have constituted themselves as enemies of our democracy, peace, and common sense. As of last count, there have been about 42 incidents and attacks in 14 states of the federation. The type of attacks includes bandits’ attacks, post-election attacks, Boko Haram, thuggery on election day, unknown gunmen and hoodlums, End SARS, among others,” the group noted.
Stressing that sadly, a greater number of the attacks are in the Southeast, the group cautioned: “We cannot afford this going towards the 2023 General Elections. All men and women of goodwill should condemn these senseless attacks while joining hands to quench this ugly trend.
“We, therefore, recommend that security agencies should up their games at this critical moment in our nation’s history and apprehend, prosecute, and punish offenders. They should be treated as criminals.
“Intelligence gathering with cooperation with community members should be encouraged at this time. INEC personnel and facilities including other critical infrastructures related or not related to elections must be protected by the security agencies.”