In preparation for the November 11 governorship election in Imo, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday began the distribution of electoral materials to all 27 Local Government Areas of the State.
The Informant247 gathered that the electoral umpire, at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s branch in Owerri, the state capital, distributed the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines, ballot papers and result sheets for the election to the 27 LGAs.
The Southeast National Commissioner, Kenneth Ukeagu, who briefed journalists while the distribution of the sensitive materials was ongoing, said the electoral umpire was ready for Saturday’s poll in the state, adding that elections would take place in all the local government areas in the state having been assured of topmost security by operatives.
Ukeagu said with the commission on top of its plans for the election, he doesn’t foresee any hitch.
He also stated that INEC staff members had been trained and charged to discharge their responsibilities professionally during the poll.
He, therefore, urged the electorate in the state to come out en mass to elect a governor of their choice on Saturday.
He said, “We are ready for the election. We are distributing sensitive materials to all the LGAs in the state because elections will take place in all the LGAs in the state. We have received assurance from the security agents for the provision of adequate security during and after the election.
“On our part, we are ready and on top of our plans. The people of the state have to come out on Saturday and elect a governor of their choice.”
The Informant247 had earlier reported how Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had directed the deployment of 22, 600 personnel of the Corps to Imo Kogi and Bayelsa States to ensure free, fair and credible gubernatorial elections, scheduled for 11th November 2023.
In a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi said the CG charged them to maintain high ethical standards, discipline, professional conduct and remain apolitical.
The CG reiterated its commitment to support democratic governance and processes; and explained that the deployment is to provide water-tight security for the electorate, officials, other stakeholders, and sensitive and non-sensitive materials before, during and after the exercise in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
He called on residents of the three states to cooperate with the NSCDC and sister agencies and shun any act capable of thwarting the strategic plans put on the ground for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
The CG also called on politicians to caution their supporters, emphasizing that sabotage will not be condoned.
He assures that “we will remain neutral on the field to ensure the security of electorate, other stakeholders and election officials and no act of sabotage will be tolerated.”
“To have a hitch-free exercise, undercover operatives, Arms Squad, operatives in the Counter-Terrorism, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Female Special Force, Rapid Response Squad, Crack Squad and Anti-vandal Unit are all detailed to prevent any vacuum which saboteurs may leverage on to perpetrate any act that could breach the peace in the states…”
The Informant247 also reported on Tuesday, that the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, announced that there will be no vehicular movement as well as movement of canoes, ships and other means of transportation via waterways, starting from Friday.
Egbetokun, while giving the directive, said the decision was in line with measures put in place to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the three states, and also barred some state security outfits including Ebubeagu and other quasi-outfits from operating during the exercise.
Speaking through the Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IG, made this known at the ongoing press briefing at Force Headquarters, explained that marine and gunboats have been deployed in the three states considering the riverine terrain of the states, while maintaining that the three states have been fortified with different security equipment, including helicopters that will be deployed for aerial patrol.