As the highly anticipated Ondo State Gubernatorial Election approaches on November 16, 2024, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive prohibiting local security outfits from participating in the electoral process.
This decision highlights the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the election, ensuring it is conducted in a secure and orderly environment.
In addition to this measure, IGP Egbetokun has assured the public that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is fully prepared to handle the security challenges of the election, with a focus on ensuring peace and stability across all corners of Ondo State. The state is divided into 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units, all of which will be under tight security surveillance throughout the election period.
The announcement came through a statement issued on Sunday, November 10, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The statement outlined the comprehensive security strategy put in place for the election, underscoring the NPF’s readiness to secure the polling units and ensure a peaceful process.
A part of the statement detailed the measures the IGP has put in motion: “The IGP has confirmed that elaborate plans have been set up to ensure a seamless election, with the strategic deployment of sufficient personnel, modern resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.” This initiative includes officers from a variety of specialized police units, such as the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, and Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT). These forces will operate in coordination with other federal security agencies to ensure the safe and fair conduct of the election.
The statement also emphasized that these forces will adhere strictly to the guidelines set forth in the Electoral Act of 2022, ensuring that all security operations are carried out with fairness, transparency, and in full alignment with legal standards. To bolster their efforts, the NPF will conduct aerial patrols using police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to maintain security in every region, from urban centers to remote areas.
Moreover, the IGP reaffirmed the guidelines regarding election security, stressing that no local or state-backed security organizations—such as Vigilante Corps or the Amotekun Security Network—will be allowed to partake in the electoral security arrangements. This reaffirmation underscores that the responsibility for election security lies solely with the Nigeria Police Force and other federal agencies, as well as the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The statement concluded with the assurance that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed to ensuring the election is conducted smoothly, without disruption, and in full compliance with the highest standards of electoral integrity. The authorities are determined to uphold public trust in the election process, ensuring that Ondo’s gubernatorial race is a model of security and fairness.
