Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced on Wednesday that 35,000 police officers will be deployed for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
An additional 8,000 personnel from other security agencies, including the Armed Forces and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), will also support the police.
Egbetokun confirmed that security aides assigned to VIPs would be withdrawn to ensure neutrality and effective security during the election. He made these remarks during a stakeholders meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). At the event, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, revealed that former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would oversee the signing of a peace pact between candidates.
Representatives from 17 political parties, civil society groups, and the Oba of Benin’s palace attended the event.
Egbetokun reiterated that quasi-security organizations like the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) would remain suspended during the election, and entry and exit points in the state would be secured. He warned that any election offenses would be dealt with according to the law, stressing the importance of peaceful elections.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Yakubu confirmed that the Commission has completed 11 of the 13 scheduled activities for the election. Campaigns will officially end on September 19, with voting set for September 21. Yakubu also announced that court rulings had led to adjustments in the final candidate list, raising the number of participating political parties from 17 to 18.
Yakubu added that INEC has delivered 184,438 new and transferred Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Edo State and accredited 134 observer groups and 114 media organizations for the election. He urged political parties to prevent violence and affirmed the Commission’s readiness for a free and fair election.
Source: The Cable
