INEC chairman urges vigilance ahead of Edo, Ondo elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, has called on security agencies to ensure vigilance ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. 

Speaking at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja on Wednesday, Yakubu highlighted the importance of protecting election materials, personnel, and polling activities, urging security forces to adhere strictly to the rules of engagement.

The Edo and Ondo governorship elections are scheduled for September 21, 2024, and November 16, 2024, respectively.

Yakubu stressed the urgency of heightened security measures.

"For the security agencies, this is the time to be more vigilant. You should leave no stone unturned in dealing with any real or potential threat to the conduct of peaceful and transparent elections."

Yakubu also addressed concerns over potential disruptions from armed state and non-state actors, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections. 

He added that the security forces must work to ensure that the training of election officials and the logistics for the movement of personnel and materials are not compromised.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt the upcoming Edo State election.

Represented by Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security in the NSA's office, Ribadu declared that any interference would be treated as a serious assault on the nation's democratic values. 

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to peaceful elections is unwavering," he stated.

He added that the government would defend the integrity of the election "by any lawful means necessary."

The NSA reassured voters in Edo, urging them to participate confidently in the election and report any suspicious activities. 

He also emphasized the role of security personnel and election officials as "guardians of democracy," reminding them of their responsibility to protect every vote.

Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman urged political parties and their supporters to maintain civility during their campaigns, noting that "a peaceful campaign often heralds a peaceful election." 

He also mentioned the upcoming bye-elections in various states, including Rivers, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Oyo, for which timetables would soon be released.

INEC has published the final list of candidates for the Edo and Ondo elections, with 34 governorship candidates from 17 political parties set to contest in each state. 

The combined voter population for the two states stands at 4,682,086.