The Nigeria Police Force, alongside other agencies, have confirmed readiness for the Saturday election, as police have affirmed to ward off any form of threat in Ondo State during the governorship election.
According to reports, at least four police officers, in collaboration with other security personnel, will be present at each polling unit to ensure a smooth poll.
In a statement by the NPF relations officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, he said the police had strengthened the state’s security structure by placing officers in all 203 wards, 18 local government districts, and 3,933 voting places.
To guarantee a seamless election, each polling station would have a minimum of four police officers working in tandem with additional security staff.
At a press briefing on Thursday at the Ondo State Police Command Headquarters in Akure, DIG Sylvester Alabi, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Ondo State Elections, spoke to officers assigned to the election duty and members of the media, highlighting the NPF’s and other security agencies’ preparedness.
The statement read in part, “The DIG, during his address, mentioned that the Force had begun effective deployments of personnel across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state, assuring the presence of at least four (4) Police officers in collaboration with officers representing other election security agencies at each polling unit to ensure a smooth poll.
“In a bid to emplace proactive measures against all forms of security threat and interference during the electoral process, the DIG emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering and firmness.”
According to the NPF, these methods are crucial for maintaining safety and security since they help detect and stop election fraud, such as vote-buying and manipulation.
The DIG noted that the police would leverage intelligence gathering, adding that the police would ensure a secure, free, and fair electoral process. He added that the Force has carried out a comprehensive threat analysis and, as well, deployed adequate personnel to areas identified as vulnerable points during the elections.
He urged cooperation between the NPF, other security organizations and voters, restating the Force’s dedication to upholding law and order throughout the state and providing sufficient backup plans to deal with any problems that might come up prior to, during, or post-election.
He similarly advised citizens to abide by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2023 (as amended) and INEC guidelines, as well as all other extant laws of the land, as every electoral offender and troubleshooter would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Seventeen political parties are fielding candidates in the election, but the All Progressives Congress, which is fielding current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Peoples Democratic Party, fielding former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, are considered top contenders. There are also Sola Ebiseni of the Labour Party and Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party who are looking to spring surprises in the election.
In an earlier development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive materials, including ballot papers, to the 18 local government areas in the state in a move to ensure the timely arrival of electoral materials at the polling booths.
The materials were distributed on Thursday from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure under the supervision of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola.
The State REC also promised commitment to transparency and making every effort to ensure the voting process is as smooth as possible, emphasizing the logistical preparations made for riverine and remote areas of Ondo.
As part of efforts put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the election, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has approved the deployment of 1,500 operatives and ordered them to collaborate with other security agencies to enforce compliance on restrictions of vehicular movement.
The directive issued by the Assistant Corps Marshal Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed also mandated the personnel to clear obstructions from the roads, carry out rescue operations in case of emergencies, and maintain orderliness in polling booths.
To reinforce the enforcement of limitations throughout the voting process, sufficient mobilization has also been made for operational instruments, such as the deployment of 25 patrol cars, 7 tow trucks, and 6 ambulances.
He cautioned the deployed staff to actively participate in the democratic process. In addition to stressing the need of maintaining highest level of professionalism, the Corps Marshal cautioned them against any actions that would result in the infringement of voters’ rights.
