NSCDC to work with CSOs on enlightenment against election violence

Dr Ahmed Audi, Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says the corps will work with Civil Society Organisations to advocate against violence during the 2023 general elections.

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by NSCDC Director Public Relations, Mr Olusola Odumosu.

Audi said when he received  Country Director, Transparency International, Nigeria, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, that the collaboration would engage Nigerians directly to commit to peaceful elections.

He said that it was important to educate the populace against thuggery, hate speeches, electoral malpractices and other crimes.

The CG urged all security and law enforcement agencies to also collaborate in order to uphold, defend and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, the elections require multi agency approach, hence, the need for security agencies to work together and avoid inter-agency rivalry.

Audi said, though elections in the country were historically marred by violence, the 2023 elections would be different.

“The forthcoming elections will be successfully conducted against the expectations of naysayers.

“Elections will hold in all parts of the country and citizens will enjoy maximum protection during the period to exercise their franchise,” he told the TI Nigeria chief.

He said already, personnel of the corps are undergoing series of trainings and workshops on proper conduct before, during and after the elections.

Earlier, TI Nigeria Country Director extolled the corps for working hard to protect Nigeria’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, including pipelines and economic saboteurs.

Rafsajani said that Nigeria required collective efforts to make things better.

He called for more engagements and collaboration with civil societies who are critical stakeholders in election monitoring.