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** Police to deploy 35,000 personnel, 8,000 others--IGP
By Lucky Efese
BENIN CITY- The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, Wednesday, gave assurances ahead of the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in the state that his commission would conduct free, fair and credible election, which would remain a reference point in the country and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has assured of adequate protection of lives and property before, during and after the conduct of the election, saying about 35,000 personnel and 8,000 others, comprising the military and para military will be deployed to Edo State to give maximum protection while the election lasts.
The INEC boss gave the assurances in Benin City, during stakeholders forum organised by his office as a prelude to charting the way forward for the conduct of peaceful election in the state, stressing his commission will exercise his professionalism and constitutional rights over the conduct of the election, especially in view of the prominence giving to Edo election which he described as not only a national election but a global election.
He said that his office had put up a formidable mechanism to ensure that every average voter exercise his or her franchise during this election, noting that the state office of INEC has got all the required logistics and support to diligently carry out its duties effectively and efficiently.
Prof. Yakubu further noted that the preparation for the success of this governorship election started last year and that there was 13 consolidated activities to be executed in this governorship election out of which 11 had successfully been executed in line with the electoral act, saying about 4,519 units and 192 wards in the state will be manned by security agents to prevent criminal activities during election.
He added that election materials were already at the Benin Office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, noting they will adequately be convened to respective local government headquarters as from next week, insisting that election campaign for all the political parties in the state stops on Thursday, September 19 at midnight.
The INEC chairman, pointed out that 2,629,025, were total voters to be accredited and that about 1600 Permanent Voter Cards, are yet to be collected despite the long period outlined for the collection by his office, adding that a total of 18 political parties will be participating in the governorship election.
In the same vein, IGP Egbetokun, said that the police would not leave any stone unturned in dealing decisively any person or group of persons attempting to indulge in criminal activities during the election.
He added that the police would exercise it fundamental responsibility of protecting voters and election materials, just as he advised all the participating political parties' supporters to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
All the candidates of the 18 political parties participating in the election were present including their chairmen and secretaries and leaders.
The Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11 CFR, were ably represented by his two palace chiefs, Chief George Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom and Chief ( Prof.) Victor Igbineweka, respectively.
Others were Federal INEC Commissioner in Charge of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, Dr. Anugbum Unuoha, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Edo State, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, CP Nemi Edwin- Iwu and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 headquarters, Benin, AIG Arungwa Nwazue
Also present include, Barr Mrs Maria Ernest, the State Director, Department of State Security, DSS, CP Larry Ogunlowo, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Electoral Matters at the Force Headquarters, Abuja and Sen. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North Senatorial Districts, in the National Assembly, Abuja, among others
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