Election Security: Police Affirm Readiness Ahead Ondo Governorship Poll
...Warns Against Political Interference, Acts of Violence
Ahead of the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has assured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly poll.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The election process will take place across 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.
According to Adejobi, 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 (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force (FID-STS), working in concert with other security agencies.
He explained that 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.
The Police spokesperson noted that 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 measures, he said will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.
“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 jeopardize the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.
“Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organization, 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 (ICCES)”, the statement further said.
It added that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remain committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State governorship election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and in accordance with the highest standards of electoral integrity.
