Different stakeholders on electoral process indicate that they are set for the March 9 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Headquarters in announcing its preparedness, said that election materials (sensitive and non-sensitive) were delivered to States throughout the country in good time. Additionally, Resident Electoral Commissioners have been announcing publicly that materials delivery to Local Governments are now concluded. And that delivery of materials from Local Government Headquarters to Registration Area Centres (RACs), and on to polling units would conclude in good time to enable prompt commencement of polling on Saturday morning. Security agencies, especially the Police also indicate preparedness with a full contingency of Police deployed across the country.
The Nigerian military which curiously have become unusually active in security deployment is also announcing readiness. The Nigerian Air Force said it has deployed fighter jets and attack helicopters to be on stand by against election violence. The Nigerian Army also stated that it has deployed across the country, in an operation to curb election violence. These excessive deployment of the military for civil elections is raising great alarm and concerns about military interference in the electoral process. As Nigerians set to vote on Saturday, 9th March, 2019, expectations are high and INEC will seek to redeem its image by conducting a well organised election, and the military and other security personnel involved in this election will pull back and restrict themselves to the legal and constitutionally set rule of providing for security in line with constitutional stipulations.