The Nigeria Police Force has deployed more than 15,000 personnel for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said 30 Commissioners of Police would oversee security across the state’s 30 local government areas. A Deputy Inspector-General of Police will coordinate the operation. Police helicopters and drones will also provide surveillance before, during and after the election.
The police have deployed Mobile Police Force units to all 30 LGAs. Two additional units will guard the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Osogbo. The Army will also restrict movement on major roads leading into Osun from midnight on Saturday. Only people on essential duties, security operations and voters will receive exceptions.
Police said they had recovered about 34 illegal firearms in the state. A mobile court will also handle cases involving electoral offences.
Vote-buying allegations
Meanwhile, some Osogbo residents claimed political party canvassers gave them cash ahead of the election. Traders at Oja Ojude Oga, Ota Efun, Igbona and Alekuwodo markets said they received between N10,000 and N15,000 from political representatives.
However, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, denied the allegation and said the party was not involved in vote-buying. Police also arrested about 12 suspected hoodlums in Ifewara. The suspects were reportedly travelling in a vehicle branded in APC colours.
INEC prepares for Saturday poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged political parties and candidates to honour the peace accord they signed before the election. INEC said it had completed the distribution of non-sensitive materials. The commission will move sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria to local government offices before Election Day.
The commission also upgraded its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and increased its backup devices from about 600 to more than 1,300. More than 2.3 million registered voters are eligible to vote in the election. INEC will also operate situation rooms in Osogbo and Abuja to monitor the poll.
1.9m PVCs collected
INEC said 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards had been collected in Osun. The figure represents 81.50 per cent of the state’s 2,339,233 registered voters. Another 426,842 PVCs remain uncollected. INEC said it had deposited the cards with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The commission urged voters to remain calm, avoid confrontation and report electoral irregularities through the proper channels
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