Ahead of the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has banned the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, and Vigilante Corps from any form of involvement in the electoral process. This directive, conveyed by Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, is part of a broader strategy to maintain a peaceful and orderly election across the state.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rolled out extensive security measures to cover Ondo’s 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units. According to the IGP, officers from specialized units—including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and the K-9 Unit—will be deployed to ensure a safe voting environment. The force will also conduct aerial patrols with police helicopters and deploy gunboats for surveillance in riverine areas, securing all terrains across the state.
The IGP emphasized that only federal security agencies and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security would be permitted to participate in the election, following the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, to uphold fairness and transparency.
A stern warning was issued to deter political thugs and any individuals intending to disrupt the elections, with the IGP affirming that violators would face severe consequences under the law.
Seventeen political parties are set to participate in the election, with the NPF committed to ensuring that the process is devoid of violence and interference.
