The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that about 35,000 police personnel will be deployed for security during the Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024.
This security plan also includes around 80,000 personnel from other national security agencies.
Egbetokun made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, September 11. He emphasised that only national security forces would be involved in securing the election.
Local security outfits operating in the state, including the Edo State Security Corps, have been suspended from participating in any election-related activities.
The IGP warned that any unauthorised security personnel found operating during the election would face immediate arrest and prosecution.
He also urged potential troublemakers to abandon any plans to disrupt the election process, as security forces would respond swiftly and decisively to any form of violence or disruption.
In his statement, the IGP said: “In this election, the police will be deploying 35,000 personnel and this will be complemented by over 80,000 members of the armed forces and other security agencies.”
He added that the Nigerian Police Force, in collaboration with other national security agencies under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), would take full responsibility for managing election security.
Egbetokun also issued a strong warning to any individuals planning to engage in political thuggery or violence.
He made it clear that any attempt to undermine the electoral process would be met with immediate action.
“The security forces will not tolerate any form of political thuggery, violence, or hooliganism. Any attempt to undermine the electoral process will be met with swift and decisive action,” the IGP said.
The police, he explained, will ensure a peaceful election, and all movements of persons and vehicles will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the election.
Furthermore, all orderlies and escorts provided to Very Important Persons (VIPs) will be withdrawn on the eve of the election to avoid misuse of security personnel for electoral advantage.
The IGP stressed that local security outfits, especially the Edo State Security Corps, would remain suspended from any involvement in election security until further notice.
During the same event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured Nigerians that the commission is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election in Edo State.
He stated that all sensitive materials for the election would arrive in Edo State next week and be safely kept at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Benin City.
Yakubu gave an overview of the commission’s preparations, noting that 11 out of 13 statutory activities outlined in INEC’s timetable for the election had already been completed. The final two activities—ending political campaigns 24 hours before the election and Election Day—are yet to take place.
He also shared updates on the list of candidates for the election. The Labour Party had been allowed by court order to replace its running mate, while the National Rescue Movement (NRM) also received a court order to include their candidate on the ballot. In total, 18 political parties will participate in the governorship election.
“We have already published the final list of candidates. However, there are two adjustments to the list,” Yakubu explained.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted that after the conclusion of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo State, a total of 184,438 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were delivered to the state.
This figure includes 119,206 new voters and 65,232 verified applications for transfers, replacement of lost cards, and corrections of personal details.
According to the INEC chairman, Edo State now has 2,629,025 registered voters. He said INEC has already made soft copies of the entire voter register available to all political parties fielding candidates.
Yakubu assured that the details of PVCs collected for each polling unit would soon be published, while uncollected PVCs will be kept at the CBN until after the election.
Prof. Yakubu reiterated that INEC remains committed to transparency and has engaged with stakeholders several times at both the national and state levels.
He assured that the commission is ready for the election and has made all necessary preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
He announced that sensitive election materials would be delivered to Edo State early next week. Political parties and stakeholders will be invited to inspect the materials at the CBN before they are distributed to local government areas.
Yakubu concluded by affirming that INEC has left no stone unturned in its preparations, and the commission will continue consulting with stakeholders until Election Day.
“The 2024 Edo State governorship election is not just a national election; it is also of global interest,” Yakubu said, underscoring the importance of ensuring that the election is credible, peaceful, and transparent.
