2023: CUPP To Security Agencies – Stay Professional And Remain Impartial

A call has gone out to security agencies in the country to exhibit professionalism and remain impartial ahead of the 2023 general election.

Naija News reports that the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) who made the call to security agencies on Thursday said the position of President Muhammadu Buhari for security agencies to stay apolitical during the elections is a step in the right direction.

The CUPP Spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere in a statement made available to pressmen said security agencies are saddled with various support services at the polls next year, therefore they must not let the president down.

The group’s reaction is against the backdrop of President Buhari’s constant call on security agencies to stay impartial during the election.

Ugochinyere said the president has resolved to have a peaceful hand of power to his successor and that is why it has kept drumming in the past months for security agencies to stay neutral.

The group noted that Buhari’s recent admonition to security agencies may be related to the failed attempt by the Department of Security Services (DSS) to frame the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, of terrorism.

It also claimed that it might also be because of plans by some unscrupulous politicians to sack the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and prevent the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the 2023 general election.

Ugochinyere said, “There have been an ongoing crisis and counter-accusations of security agencies’ involvement in plots to derail the President’s CBN-backed policies. Even though Buhari has openly said he gave the CBN Governor the go-ahead on such policies, politicians, using security agencies such as the DSS, are still trying to cause problems in their selfish bid to rig the elections.

“This statement by the President is believed to be an indirect message to security agencies and their political sponsors to desist from any act that will undermine the CBN and INEC moves for credible elections and rather work towards stability and a peaceful transition of power come May 2023.”