The Nigeria Police Force has affirmed its readiness to ward off any form of threat in Ondo State during the governorship election slated for Saturday.

A statement by the NPF relations officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi said the police had firmed up security architecture in the state by deploying officers across all the 18 local government areas, 203 wards and the 3, 933 polling units in the state.

It assured that at least four police officers in collaboration with other security personnel will be present at each polling unit, to ensure a smooth poll.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Ondo State Elections, DIG Sylvester Alabi held a press briefing at the Ondo State Police Command Headquarters, Akure, where he addressed officers deployed for the election duty and the members of the press, emphasising the readiness of the NPF and other security agencies.

The statement read in part, “The DIG during 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 (4) Police Officers in collaboration with officers representing other election security agency, at each polling unit, to ensure a smooth poll.

In a bid to emplace proactive measures against all forms of security threat and interference during the electoral process, the DIG emphasized the importance of Intelligence gathering and firmness.

The NPF said these approaches were essential for upholding safety and security, as they assist in identifying and preventing 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 as well, deployed adequate personnel to areas identified as vulnerable points during the elections.”

The DIG further encouraged a collaborative effort between the NPF, other election security agencies and the electorates, reiterating the commitment of the Force to maintaining law and order across the state with adequate contingency plans to respond appropriately to issues that may arise before, during and after the election.

He advised citizens to abide by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2023, (as amended) and INEC guidelines, as well as all other extant laws of the land, as every electoral offender and troubles shooter would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

Seventeen political parties are fielding candidates in the election but the All Progressives Congress which is fielding current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Peoples Democratic Party fielding former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi are considered top contenders.

There are also Sola Ebiseni of the Labour Party and Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party who are looking to spring surprises in the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has distributed sensitive materials, including ballot papers to the 18 local government areas in the state in a move to ensure the timely arrival of electoral materials at the polling booths.

The materials were distributed from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure under the supervision of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola.

Representatives of political parties, security agencies, and other key stakeholders witnessed the exercise.

“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.

As part of efforts put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the election, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed has approved the deployment of 1,500 operatives, and ordered them to collaborate with other security agencies to enforce compliance on restrictions of vehicular movement.

The directive issued by the Assistant Corps Marshal Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed also mandated the personnel to clear obstructions from the roads, carry out rescue operations in case of emergencies, and maintain orderliness in polling booths.

In the same vein, adequate mobilisation has also been made for operational tools including deployment of 25 patrol vehicles, 7 tow trucks, as well as 6 ambulances to strengthen enforcement of restrictions during the entire process of the election.

He warned the personnel deployed to play an active role in the democratic exercise. While emphasising the need to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism, the Corps Marshal also admonished them to avoid any act that could lead to abuse of the rights of electorates.

As of the time of filing this report, activities across the state are said to have slowed.

Government offices and schools are shut as the state government declared Friday a work-free day.

There is heavy security presence in Akure, the Ondo State capital and other adjoining towns as electorates prepare to elect a new Governor.

The choices before Ondo electorates are Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and Hon Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Out of 2,053,061 registered voters in the State, a total of 1,793,914 electorates who collected their Permanent Voter Cards are expected to cast their votes on Saturday.

This was unlike in the 2020 governorship election when there were 1,478,460 eligible voters in Ondo State.

Checks showed that a total of 58,708 new voters were registered in Ondo State while 3,132 voters transferred their registration into and within Ondo State, while 123 voters transferred their registration within and out of Ondo State.

Sensitive materials for the conduct of the election were distributed to the local government areas under heavy security and closely monitored by party agents.

This is the first election in Ondo State where minimal violence was recorded ahead of the election unlike in previous elections.

There were no reported cases of attack on billboards or clash of supporters during campaigns. It was at Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area, that seven members of the opposition PDP were hospitalised after they were reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs.

To foster any violence during the election, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbedokun deployed 22, 239 policemen to be supported by 8,500 personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Speaking on the security deployment, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said the police were prepared to provide level playing ground for all contesting candidates irrespective of party affiliation or status and ensured secured environment for successful and peaceful conduct of elections throughout the state.

Alabi said there would be provision of adequate security for election officials and materials from all ”take-off” points to their respective destinations.

He said the police would “Ensure that all participants and other citizens comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2020 as amended and other statute laws of the Federation.

“We will render all necessary assistance to INEC officials to facilitate the discharge of their responsibilities and provide adequate contingency plans to contain any crisis that may directly or indirectly arise before, during or after the conduct of the election.

Alabi said all arrested electoral offenders would be prosecuted accordingly.