#2019: International Communities Express Concern Over Neutrality Of Security Operatives In Elections

The United States has expressed concerns over how Nigeria intends to handle security in the forth coming general elections, scheduled to hold in February and March.

David Young, US embassy representative in Nigeria, made this known during a meeting with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

“One of the concerns is about the neutrality of the security services. For us, it is very important that the security services provide for the election security, the safety of the process of the election in a way that doesn’t interfere with people getting to the polls, civil society monitors, election observers who have access to observe the process freely,” he said.

He added that the US government is in support of INEC.

He was hopeful that the new inspector-general of police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu would be uptight and and work effectively with all necessary support.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) ambassador to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, says they are holding meetings with INEC to get updates on the elections

“Our only real mission here is for Nigeria to succeed in having fee, fair transparent and credible elections,” he said.

“We want to be briefed by you on the preparation for the election. We already have long term observers.”

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, responded that the electoral body will not disappoint the international community.

“We have concluded and published the guideline, we have finalised the manual for the election to be used for training staff for the election. We are recruiting as hoc staff and will soon start training them. We are aware the election is going to be an intense media event,” he said.