The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has banned the state security network agency known as Amotekun Corps from participating in the governorship election in Ondo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed Saturday, November 16 for the off-cycle governorship election with a total of 17 political parties participating in the exercise.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Egbetokun said the security of elections in the country was the sole responsibility of the police in partnership with other federal security sister agencies.
In the statement signed by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IG warned against political interference and violence in the upcoming election.
He said, “Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process. The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.’’
Mr Egbetokun also cautioned political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election.
He explained that anyone caught would face the full force of the law, adding that the message was clear as those who attempted to jeopardise the peace and security of the state would not go unpunished.
The police chief also reiterated that comprehensive plans had been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.
He explained that security agencies would be deployed to ensure adequate security and orderly election process across the 18 Local Government Areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units in the state.
According to Mr Egbetokun, officers from various specialized units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit and Special Protection Unit will participate in the poll.
He added that officers would also be deployed from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and the Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force working with other security agencies.
He added, “These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order. In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains. These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.”
The IG noted that the police in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remained committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo governorship election went on smoothly, without incident, and in accordance with the highest standards of electoral integrity.
