Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced on Wednesday that a total of 35,000 police officers will be deployed across Edo State for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
An additional 8,000 personnel from other security agencies, including the armed forces and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), will support the police in ensuring a secure election environment.
Egbetokun made the announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. He emphasized that security aides assigned to VIPs will be withdrawn to maintain neutrality and security during the election.
“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that elections take place, and the security of all is the responsibility of the police and will be supported by other security agencies to ensure safety,” Egbetokun stated.
“We will deploy sufficient personnel for the election. For the Edo state governorship election, we will deploy 35,000 personnel, and there will be another 8,000 from other security agencies to complement us.”
The IG also noted that the activities of quasi-security organizations like the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) will remain suspended on election day.
“We have undertaken several measures including a tour of hot spots, engaging stakeholders, and operational visits, and we will continuously engage all,” Egbetokun added.
In his address, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, provided an update on the commission’s preparations. He revealed that INEC has completed 11 out of 13 scheduled activities, with only two pending: the final campaign period, which ends at midnight on September 19, and the election day itself.
Yakubu also updated on candidate changes and voter registration.
“We made some adjustments to the final list of candidates based on court judgments,” Yakubu said.
“The Labour Party’s running mate was replaced, and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) was included on the ballot following a court order.”
He reported that INEC delivered 184,438 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to Edo State, which includes 119,206 new voters and 65,232 verified applications for transfers and corrections.
“We have published the details on our website for public information,” Yakubu noted.
Additionally, INEC has accredited 134 observer groups, including 124 domestic and 10 international, deploying 1,836 observers, and 114 media organizations with 721 journalists to cover the election.
Yakubu called on political parties and their supporters to maintain peace, assuring that INEC is committed to conducting a free and fair election.
“We are ready for a free and fair election in the state,” he concluded.