By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Apparently to avoid any security lapses that will lead to the disruption of the smooth conduct of the 2024 two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the security agencies to consider early preparations for the two critical assignments.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who gave this charge at the First Quarterly Meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at INEC Conference Room at Maitama, Abuja on Friday, said that without secured environment INEC cannot successfully conduct elections.
He commended the noble role the security agencies played during the 2020 governorship elections in the same two states of Edo and Ondo which he attributed to early planning just as he admonished them to replicate the good work of 2022 in 2024.
For the importance of the security agencies, the meeting paid tribute to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army who died while on a peace mission in Otuama community of Ughelli in Delta state by observing one-minute silence in honour of the fallen heroes.
Said he:”The recent gruesome killing of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on a peace mission in Delta State is condemnable. We are confident that the ongoing investigation will lead to the speedy arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“On behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I extend our condolence to the Army and the armed forces in particular as well as other security, intelligence, law enforcement agencies, all other members of ICCES and families of the fallen heroes for the colossal loss. May we rise to observe a minute of silent prayers for the repose of their souls”.
Speaking on the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo, Yakubu said since the beginning of this week, the Commission have been engaging stakeholders in the first regular quarterly consultative meetings for this year.
However, he said this is the second meeting INEC is holding with the security agencies this year, saying “You may recall that two months ago, precisely on 23rd January 2024, we met to review the security arrangement for the bye-elections and Court-ordered re-run elections in 48 Federal and State Constituencies across the country”.
Said he: “Except for two State Constituencies in Enugu and Kano States, the elections have been concluded and winners declared. We are remobilising to conclude the outstanding elections which were disrupted by hoodlums. This will be done very soon after further consultations with stakeholders and the security agencies. Today’s meeting with the security agencies will strategise ahead of our remobilisation for the two elections”.
Speaking further, Yakubu said “Of course the major activities in the electoral calendar for this year are the two off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. The Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the elections were released by the Commission in September last year. The Edo Governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024 while that of Ondo State is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024.
“We have just six months to the Edo State Governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State Governorship election. The election in Ondo State will hold two months after Edo. It is therefore appropriate to acquaint you with the delimitation details to enable early preparations for security deployment.
The INEC boss also said that both Edo and Ondo states have 18 Local Government Areas each. At the moment, Edo has 2,501,081 registered voters, 192 Registration Areas/Wards and 4,519 Polling Units while Ondo State has 1,991,344 registered voters, 203 Registration Areas/Wards and 3,933 Polling Units. However, the terrain differs in the two States. While there are a few riverine locations in Edo State, two Local Government Areas in Ondo State (Ese Odo and Ilaje) are predominantly riverine.
For Edo state he said 18 Political Parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission. They have since commenced the uploading of the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal. The deadline is 6pm on Sunday 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down. So far, 12 Political Parties have uploaded the list of their candidates to the portal.
For Ondo state, political parties will commence their primaries in the next two weeks. At the moment, 17 out of 19 Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.
Yakubu however said that: “It is important to start security preparations very early. In particular, the number of personnel and other assets to be deployed to strategic locations should be determined and mobilised early enough. It was this proactive approach that led to the successful conduct of the last Governorship election in Edo State on 19th September 2020 and in Ondo State on 10th October 2020.
“There were no security incidents, materials were delivered promptly, logistics deployed smoothly, Polling Units opened on time, voters attended to efficiently and results collated and announced transparently. Let us replicate the successful conduct of the last Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. In fact, working together, we should ensure that the 2024 Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States are an improvement on the success story of 2020.
“In the next few months, there will be further engagements with the security agencies and other members of ICCES at both national and State levels.
“We look forward to your plans to secure the environment without which INEC cannot successfully conduct elections”.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA) represented by Hassan Abdullahi, Director Internal Security in the NSA office assured the national in general and citizens of Edo and Ondo that adequate security is guaranteed for Edo and Ondo states before, during and after the elections.
Others who attended the meeting are the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun who was represented by Mr Basil Ideagwu, a Commissioner of Police (CP) incharge of Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Representatives of various security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies and other members of ICCESS as well as INEC National Commissioners.
