The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has banned the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun and vigilante group, among others, from participating in the Ondo State governorship election.
No fewer than 17 political parties will participate in the election slated for November 16, 2024.
In a statement on Sunday by the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG said only the federal security agencies and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security would be allowed to participate in the election.
He said, “Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like vigilante corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process.
“The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State gubernatorial election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and in accordance with the highest standards of electoral integrity.”
The police boss ordered the deployment of officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and K-9 Unit, among others.
The statement added that aerial patrols would be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats would patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.
Adejobi said, “As the Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, draws near, the Inspector General of Police has unequivocally assured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units in the state.
“The IGP has confirmed that comprehensive plans have been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“The deployment will see officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force working in concert with other security agencies.
“These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that all measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order.
“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.
“These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.”
Adejobi also said the IG vowed to deal with political thugs or individuals planning to disrupt the elections.
He said, “The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election: they will face the full force of the law. The message is clear — those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.”
For the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission said is set to deploy over 15,500 ad hoc staff.
INEC via its website as sighted by The PUNCH on Sunday, revealed that out of the 2,053,061 registered voters in the state, only 1,757,205 collected their Permanent Voter Cards and would be eligible to vote on Saturday.
The remaining 295,856 registered voters failed to collect their PVCs, thereby missing out on the opportunity to participate in the upcoming election.
The electoral body will allocate a team of four officials to each of the 3,933 polling units across the state, comprising one presiding officer and three assistant presiding officers, bringing the total number of ad hoc staff to 15,732.
In addition, supervisory presiding officers will be assigned to oversee operations at various polling locations.
INEC commenced training for its ad hoc personnel on Friday, November 8, and concluded it on Sunday, November 10.
The sessions, conducted by INEC’s Electoral Institute, took place across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
The training aimed to equip National Youth Service Corps members, ex-corps members, and final-year university students with the necessary skills to manage polling operations effectively.
The focus was on adhering to the 2022 guidelines and regulations for the conduct of elections.
During his monitoring visit, the Chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute, National Commissioner, Prof Abdullahi Zuru, stressed the importance of the training to ensure “efficiency and effective performance of the Polling Officials on election day.”
He also used the opportunity of the visit to reiterate the function of the INEC Results Viewing portal “as a platform to view election results stating that this does not connote transmission of results.”
NSCDC deploys 6,000 officers
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has announced the deployment of 6,000 officers to ensure adequate security across Ondo State during the election.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, disclosed this in a press release signed by the Corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Sunday.
Audi stressed the corps’ readiness to provide comprehensive security before, during, and after the polls.
He explained that the personnel would be drawn from Ondo and neighbouring states, including Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Edo, and Delta.
“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, has ordered the deployment of 6,000 officers and men to provide adequate security before, during and after the November 16, Ondo governorship elections.
“CG Audi said the NSCDC is fully ready to ensure free, fair and credible elections, noting that the corps would deploy personnel from neighbouring states such as Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo Osun, Lagos, Edo, and Delta, amongst others,” the statement read in part.
The officers will be tasked with protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, safeguarding INEC officials and ensuring the safe distribution of election materials.
The deployment covers all 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units, including coastal areas in the state.
The security arrangement will feature specialised units such as the Special Female Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit.
Additionally, K-9, Marine, and Election Monitoring units, along with the Intelligence and Investigation Department will also be part of the operation.
The NSCDC boss noted that these measures were designed to prevent political violence and thuggery throughout the electoral process.
“The personnel drawn from the host state, neighbouring states and the national headquarters comprises Special Female Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers Unit, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit, K-9 Unit, Marine Unit, CG’s Mining Marshal, Election Monitoring Unit as well as the Intelligence and Investigation Department.
“There are comprehensive and strategic measures already put in place which are targeted towards forestalling all forms of political violence and thuggery before, during and after the elections.
“It is highly imperative that you work in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, which is the lead agency in election security,” the statement added.
He also warned against acts of vandalism, destruction of public utilities, and election-related violence, urging parents to caution their children against being used by politicians for violent purposes.
Audi assured the public of the corps’ commitment to protecting voters’ fundamental rights while promising to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to disrupt the election process in accordance with the electoral law.
