Chairman of CROSIEC Dr Ekong Edet Boco in a warm handshake with the CRS Cp Gyogon Grimah during a courtesy call on the Commissioner recently in Calabar.
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) and Security Agencies in the state have resolved to partner for a crisis free Local Government elections in the state.
This partnership and maximum support before, during and after the elections in the state, was given recently in Calabar when the Chairman of CROSIEC, Dr. Ekong Edet Boco and Members of the commission paid a familiarization visit to Heads of Security Agencies in Calabar.
Those visited are the Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), The state Comptroller of Immigration, Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps and the Commissioner of Police.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of CROSIEC said following their recent inauguration the commission decided to hit the ground running by embarking on the familiarization visit to the heads of different security agencies in the state.
Boco stated that the commission and the electoral process can not go well without the support and cooperation of security agencies .
“We know that we are partners in progress, we can not run the commission without security therefore it is important that we come to seek your guidance and direction as it concerns security matters” he said.
Boco said that the commission was awaiting the governor’s assent to the recently amended CROSIEC law passed by the state House of Assembly, adding that once that is done the commission will out plans for the conduct of the local government elections in the state.
The CROSIEC Chairman acknowledged the support of the security agencies in the past and sued for same to ensure the success of the commission.
Dr Ekong Edet Boco (4th R), State Commandant NSCDC Mr Charles Brown (5th R), NSCDC Officials and members of CROSIEC in a group photograph shortly after the courtesy call in Calabar recently.
“Moving into the election circle proper , we believe that there will be greater synergy between your office and the commission and with your backing we will succeed to conduct the best elections in Cross River State” , he said.
Speaking separately the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gyogon Grimah assured that they will do what they are constitutionally empowered to do maintaining that the request of the commission is part of what they are supposed to be doing and commended the Chairman and his team for visiting the command shortly after their inauguration as this will enable them start the process together.
He said, “it is for us from day one to keep the state safe so that from that beginning when you are talking election people will be rest assured that the place is already safe for them to go out and cast their votes”
On his part the Commandant of. NSCDC, Mr. Charles Brown expressed his confidence that given the integrity and experience of the Chairman and Members of the commission , the state will have a credible local government elections in the state.
His words, “election is a process whereby you select those persons you feel are good enough to man the affairs at various levels of governance, it will also take a man of integrity with his team to conduct a credible election that is free, fair and credible, with your resume and others I believe we will have a credible election in Cross River State.”
The Commandant further stated that it was their duty to protect critical assets and infrastructure assuring the commission of the Command’s readiness to partner with them to ensure that their job is carried out to the later .
“We will mobilise our men so that we will not have cause for people to regret to come out and vote and ensure a hitch free elections.” he stated.
