The Assistant Inspector General of Police overseeing Zone 17, Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi, has announced that approximately 22,239 officers will be deployed to manage the off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the November 16, 2024, election, AIG Asabi emphasized the importance of elections as a democratic process, allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote and select leaders by majority.
He noted that the electoral process, which results in the emergence of leaders, naturally carries high stakes.
Candidates and their supporters often put in extensive efforts to secure victory, making security presence essential to ensure a peaceful and fair election.
Asabi said “In our clime, some contenders strategize to generate some heat in the polity thereby posing security threats. Regarding such threats, provision of security before during and after the process becomes an essential and concerted duty.
“It is common knowledge that success of any important process like the forthcoming Governorship election in this state depends on peace, order and security. Therefore breach of the peace or security can surely scuttle the success expected in the exercise.
“It is very pertinent for all stakeholders to discharge our various duties with security conscious approaches. We should bear it in mind that performing our roles in the fair and orderly manner will certainly reduce the security threats to the barest minimum, with a far reaching effect on the credibility of the election.
“The Nigeria Police and other supporting security agencies responsible to provide security in the forthcoming election have a responsibility to solidly synergize and work as a formidable team to identify and nip in the bud, all security threats, provide water-tight security at the polling stations as well as all the public spaces within the state.
“Security of the voters the electoral officials, the electoral materials and the general public will have to be effectively provided before, during and after the election. This can be efficiently achieved by concerted covert and overt operations by the synergized security agencies assigned for the election duties.
“In order to deliver adequate election security, the Nigeria Police, apart from additional manpower from sister agencies, is going to deploy a total of 22,239 officers for the exercise.
“It is equally significant to advise the other stakeholders like the political parties, the contesting candidates and their agents to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully, in line with global best practices of democracy.
“All stakeholders should eschew violence, avoid the do-or-die approach, should not employ thuggery and play the game according to the rules in the spirit of sportsmanship that will enable the loser to lose gallantly and the winner to be magnanimous in victory.
“It should be stated that violators of electoral laws run the risk of diligent prosecution. He that loses today may win tomorrow- there is always hope for the future.
“To the press and the observers, you are requested to report objectively with a quantum of positivity devoid of odium inspiring elements. You should project the true image of the election without negative sentiments that are capable of triggering a breach of the peace. This will help us maintain a peaceful and hitch free conduct of the election”.
“Let us approach the forthcoming election with an open and positive mindset, filled with unwavering determination to do the right thing in our various roles and foster a peaceful, free and fair election.
“On our part as security agencies, we promise to leave no stone unturned in order to provide hitch-free and conducive atmosphere prior, during and the post-election security at the conclusion of the process. We shall ensure that the success recorded in the Edo Election will be improved upon”.
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