The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed its readiness to prevent any disruptions during the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State, which is scheduled for Saturday.
In a statement released on Friday, NPF spokesperson ACP Muyiwa Adejobi outlined the security measures in place, revealing that officers have been deployed across all 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units throughout the state.
The NPF assured the public that at least four police officers, working alongside other security personnel, would be stationed at each polling unit to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Sylvester Alabi, who is overseeing security for the Ondo State elections, held a press briefing on Thursday at the Ondo State Police Command Headquarters in Akure. During the briefing, he reassured both officers and the press of the NPF’s preparedness, in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure a smooth election.
Seventeen political parties are fielding candidates in the election.
The statement read in part, “The DIG, in 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 police officers, in collaboration with officers from other election security agencies, at each polling unit to ensure a smooth poll.
“In order to implement proactive measures against all forms of security threats and interference during the electoral process, the DIG emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering and firmness.”
The NPF stated that these strategies are vital for maintaining safety and security, as they help identify and prevent electoral fraud, including vote-buying and manipulation.
“By leveraging intelligence gathering, the police can ensure a secure, free, and fair electoral process. To this end, the Force has carried out a comprehensive threat analysis and deployed adequate personnel to areas identified as vulnerable points during the elections.”
The DIG further encouraged a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Police Force, other election security agencies, and the electorate, reiterating the Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order across the state, with adequate contingency plans in place to respond appropriately to any issues that may arise before, during, or after the election.
He advised citizens to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2023 (as amended), INEC guidelines, and all other relevant laws of the land, warning that electoral offenders would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive materials, including ballot papers, to the 18 local government areas in the state to ensure the timely arrival of electoral materials at the polling stations.
The materials were handed on Thursday from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure, under the supervision of Oluwatoyin Babalola, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner.
Representatives from political parties, security agencies, and other key stakeholders witnessed the distribution process.
“We are committed to transparency and are making every effort to ensure the voting process is as smooth as possible,” Babalola stated.
She also emphasised the logistical preparations made for riverine and remote areas of Ondo.
FRSC Deploys 1,500 Personnel
As part of efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the election, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has approved the deployment of 1,500 operatives. These personnel are to work alongside other security agencies to enforce vehicle movement restrictions.
In a statement issued by Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, it was noted that Mohammed had also tasked the personnel with clearing road obstructions, carrying out rescue operations in emergencies, and maintaining order at polling stations.
To strengthen these measures, the Corps Marshal confirmed the mobilisation of operational tools, including 25 patrol vehicles, 7 tow trucks, and 6 ambulances, all of which will be available throughout the election period.
The Corps Marshal reminded the deployed personnel to take an active role in ensuring the integrity of the democratic process. He stressed the importance of professionalism and urged them to avoid any actions that could infringe upon the rights of voters.
