Ibadan – Mr. Adebayo Ayeni, the Oyo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has urged politicians to refrain from promoting violence and accept God as the only one who appoints leaders.
Ayeni told newsmen in Ibadan that politicians must take a stand to reverse the incidence of political violence in the country.
He said: “ If we continue to kill ourselves over who gets to office, who are we going to govern when we eventually get to the office?
“Politicians should accept that God anoints those He wants as leaders at any point in time and you cannot contest with God.
“Even the atheists believe that there is a being who governs the affairs of men.’’
To ensure violence-free elections, he said the NSCDC had engaged in series of enlightenment programmes at the zonal, command and divisional levels.
“We need to vigorously enlighten people, especially party supporters, because the signs we see are not healthy for democracy.
“When violence starts, you can only know the beginning and not the end of it.
“Before this ugly incidence starts, therefore, let us caution; let us warn and let us know that it is not good for our democracy,” he said.
On the readiness of the corps to provide adequate security before, during and after the elections, Ayeni assured the public that the NSCDC was up to the task.
“We have enough men on ground to monitor the elections and you should note that this is not the first time we would be monitoring or providing security for elections.
“We have trained and re-trained our men because while you are preparing for peace, you must also prepare for war,” he said.
