KEY POINTS

• 35,000 police officers and 8,000 additional personnel will be deployed for the Edo governorship election. 
• VIP security aides will be withdrawn to maintain neutrality during the polls.
• INEC has distributed 184,438 PVCs to voters in Edo ahead of the September 21 election.

Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the deployment of 35,000 police officers to secure the upcoming governorship election in Edo State on September 21. The effort will also be supported by 8,000 personnel from sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the armed forces.

In order to avoid bias and non-use of state resources, security escorts to various VIP categories will be pulled out during the exercise.

Egbetokun stated these at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, which was being facilitated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Some of the attendees to the meeting were political parties, civil societies, the palace of the Oba of Benin, and other stakeholders.

Comprehensive security measures

Egbetokun emphasized that ensuring a peaceful election is the responsibility of all stakeholders, while the police remain committed to maintaining security.

“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that elections take place, and the security of all is the responsibility of the police, supported by other security agencies to ensure safety,” he said.

The IGP also listed several security measures, including monitoring high-risk areas, engaging with stakeholders, and conducting operational visits to key locations. In addition, all entry and exit points in the state will be manned on Election Day, and movement within the state will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to a report by Vanguard, the IGP warned political leaders to advise their supporters against violence, stating that anyone caught violating the law would be dealt with following the law.

Egbetokun also reiterated the suspension of quasi-security groups like the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and similar outfits, which were established by the state government to address insecurity. He stressed that these groups will not be permitted to participate in election-related activities.

“The activities of quasi-security organizations like the Edo State Security Network remain suspended, and they have no role to play on Election Day,” he stated.

INEC’s readiness for the election

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who also addressed the gathering, provided an update on the Commission’s preparations for the election. Yakubu stated that INEC had completed 11 out of 13 scheduled activities, with only the final campaign days and Election Day left.

“As of today, we have only two outstanding activities. These are the last days of campaign by political parties, which end at midnight on Thursday, September 19, and Election Day on Saturday, September 21,” he said.

Yakubu also noted that INEC had adjusted the final list of candidates due to court judgments. This included reinstating the National Rescue Movement (NRM), which raised the number of political parties contesting the election from 17 to 18.

The INEC Chairman further revealed that the Commission had accredited 134 observer groups, comprising 124 domestic and 10 international groups, to monitor the election. 1,836 observers will be deployed across the state, along with 721 journalists from 114 media organizations. Yakubu urged political parties to ensure their supporters refrain from violence.

“We are ready for a free and fair election, and we expect all parties to act responsibly,” he said.

PVC collection and voter engagement

To enhance voter participation, INEC has distributed 184,438 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters in Edo State. This figure includes 119,206 new voters and 65,232 transfers and card replacements. The Commission has published the details of the PVC distribution on its official website.

Yakubu commended the efforts of stakeholders in mobilizing voter registration and urged them to continue to encourage peaceful participation.

“I must commend all stakeholders in Edo State for the level of mobilization for voter registration and collection of PVCs,” he added.