Edo, Ondo Guber Polls: INEC Tasks Security Agencies On Peaceful and Transparent Elections, Dealing With Any Threat

By Seun Omole, Abuja 

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has tasked the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee On Election Security ICCES to leave no stone unturned in dealing with any real or potential threat to the conduct of peaceful and transparent elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who stated this at the meeting of Inter -Agency Consultative Committee On Election Security (ICCES), in Abuja, emphasized on the need of the ICCES
personnel to continue to abide by the code and conduct and rules of engagement for security personnel on electoral duty.

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” Already, concerns have been expressed about the possibility of armed state and non-state actors disrupting the processes. With just 37 days to the Edo State governorship election and 93 days before voters in Ondo State go to the polls.

” We should continue to work together to ensure that the training of election officials, logistics for the movement of personnel and materials, polling and collation activities are not disrupted in any way.

He therefore advised the security agencies to be more vigilant.

The INEC Boss disclosed that the commission has announced the figures of new voters in the two States which have been added to the existing Register of Voters. As a result, Edo State now has 2,629,025 voters as against 2,501,081 voters for the 2023 General Election, representing 4.9% increase. In Ondo State, the current register is 2,053,061 voters as against 1,191,344 for the 2023 General Election, representing 3.0% increase.

” In terms of demographics, 1,897,939 (72.2%) of the voters in Edo State are young and middle-aged persons (18-49 years old) while the figure for the same age group in Ondo State is 1,448,926 (70.5%). The current cumulative figure of voters in the two States is 4,682,086. With a population of 3,346,865, young and middle-aged voters constitute 71.5% of voters in the two States. In terms of occupation, 1,563,702 are students, representing 33.4% of voters.

” The commission has published the final list of candidates for the elections in the two States. Seventeen (17) political parties are fielding 34 Governorship candidates and their running mates in Edo State. The same number of parties and candidates are participating in Ondo State.

Electioneering campaigns by political parties are ongoing. This is usually a time of concern and anxiety about security as political parties canvass for votes. A peaceful campaign often heralds a peaceful election. I urge political parties, candidates and their supporters to maintain the peace as we approach the election day and beyond. Party and campaign spokespersons should tone down the negative rhetoric.

Prof. Yakubu further disclosed that there are a number of outstanding bye-elections for which Presiding Officers of the National Assembly and some State Houses of Assembly have declared vacancies.

At our last meeting, the Commission informed you about the existence of vacancies for Khana II State Constituency of Rivers State, Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency of Kano, Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.

” Since then, two more vacancies have been declared for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State and the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State. At this meeting, we will present to you the summary of the delimitation statistics of these constituencies to enable you begin preparations for security deployment ahead of the release of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the bye-elections”. He added .

On his part, the National Security Adviser of Nigeria, Nuhu Ribadu who was represented by Director Internal security, Hassan Abdullahi warned that any attempt to undermine, interfere with, or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the polls would be viewed as an assault on the very essence of democratic values.

” Those planning to disrupt the elections should not mistake the current administration’s commitment to peace for weakness, We will defend the integrity of the polls using every lawful means at our disposal, and anyone attempting to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections will face the full force of the law. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert and ready to swiftly and decisively deal with anyone trying to undermine the polls”. He said .