Nigeria Content Online

The Ondo State
governor, Olusegun Mimiko has advised security operatives to be alert
to their responsibilities during the forthcoming general elections to
prevent outbreaks of violence.

The governor gave
the warning while welcoming the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval
Command, Emmanuel Ogbor to Akure. The officer was familiarisation tour
of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operations Base (FOB) at Igbokoda. Mr
Mimiko said a repeat of the security challenges experienced by the
electorate during the 2007 general elections is capable of truncating
the hope of conducting free and fair elections in the country in the
country.

The governor, who
referred to the security situation during the bye-election held in
Ilaje Local Government Area July this year, told the Naval Chief that
the 2011 polls is also a security matter as it will go beyond the realm
of politics.

“It is important to
be pro-active because having credible elections in this country depends
largely on the security situation,” he said.

“It behoves on the
armed forces to ensure that the 2011 elections and subsequent ones are
free and fair as we normally have security challenges during
elections…

“The last
bye-election we had in Ilaje, we had real serious security challenges.
As a matter of fact, it was your men that went to rescue INEC officials
who were held hostage by some hooligans who wanted to attack them and
perhaps they could have had a fatal encounter with those hoodlums, but
your men rose to the occasion. So, we hope that during next year’s
election, you will beef up security in the water ways, policing the
water ways is very important in conducting free and fair election in
the riverine areas. As a nation, Nigeria is regarded as the giant of
Africa and must prove that leading position. It must perform or lead by
ensuring the conduct of successful free and fair elections and everyone
in Nigeria have a role to play if the next elections must be credible.”

Mr Ogbor commended the state government for its commitment to the
welfare of Naval officers and men in the state and called for
government support in ensuring the movement of the FOB to its permanent
base.