Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has appealed to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to provide adequate protection for collation centres and identified volatile areas during the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement held across Egbedore, Orolu, and Irepodun local government council areas.
Dr. Agboke urged security operatives to work closely with the commission to ensure a smooth electoral process and assured stakeholders that, with collective cooperation, the commission would declare only candidates duly elected by voters as winners at the end of the poll.
“Security agencies should be proactive. If you help us secure the collation centres, results will be safe,” he said.
Agboke, while describing any attempt to disrupt the election as an act against national interest, cautioned against the spread of misinformation, stating that any news not officially released by INEC should be regarded as false and disregarded by the public.
Addressing corps members, he warned against inducement by politicians and manipulation of result sheets, noting that such actions would attract prosecution.
The REC also urged political parties to adhere strictly to provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, while condemning vote buying, vote selling, and all forms of monetary inducement.
He cautioned members of transport unions to provide functional vehicles for the movement of personnel and materials, warning that any act of sabotage would lead to arrest and prosecution.
“INEC has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the National Union of Road Transport Workers. Transporters engaged for the election are working for the country and not for any political party. Transport providers have been paid for two days. We expect them to remain at their duty posts. INEC will track all vehicles deployed for the exercise.
“Anyone who plans to sabotage INEC efforts towards the success of the poll will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The REC described the Osun governorship poll as significant, being the last election before the 2027 general elections, adding that it would attract both national and international attention.
He noted that the state’s party primaries were conducted without violence.
Heads of security agencies at the meeting, including Divisional Police Officers, assured stakeholders of adequate deployment to flashpoints and collation centres.
They reaffirmed the commitment of the police to ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election while calling for cooperation among all parties and community leaders.
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