The Independent National Electoral Commission says sensitive materials for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election have arrived in the state and are being kept securely at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The commission also disclosed that it has a pool of more than 30,000 National Youth Service Corps members from which ad-hoc personnel will be selected for the election.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this while providing an update on preparations for the August 15 poll.
He said the commission would not disclose the exact number of ad-hoc staff to be deployed, but noted that the available NYSC pool was sufficient for the exercise.
«“For number of ad-hoc staff, INEC will be pulling from a pool of over 30,000 NYSC members that we’re working with for the election,” Oketola said.»
According to him, 2,339,233 voters are registered in Osun State, although the commission is yet to determine the final number of registered voters who collected their Permanent Voter Cards after the extension of the collection period.
Oketola explained that the sensitive materials, including ballot papers and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, would be moved from the CBN to local government offices on Friday before being taken to Registration Area Centres.
He said non-sensitive materials would begin moving earlier, while personnel, vehicles and other equipment would also be positioned ahead of election day.
«“What is most important is that those things are already in Osun,” he said, explaining that revealing the movement schedule of sensitive materials could expose them to possible attacks.»
Oketola added that the arrangements were designed to ensure that all personnel and materials reached their respective locations before voting begins.
Meanwhile, security agencies have deployed at least 25,310 personnel across Osun State for the election.
The deployment includes 15,000 police officers, 10,210 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and about 100 officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The NSCDC said its personnel were drawn from neighbouring commands, including Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory.
Specialised units of the corps, including intelligence, tactical, female and K9 teams, have also been deployed to support election security operations.
NSCDC Commandant-General, Abubakar Audi, directed the personnel to remain neutral and professional while protecting voters, electoral officials and election materials.
«“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” Audi said.»
He warned political thugs and others who may attempt to disrupt the poll that they would be dealt with according to the law.
The police had earlier announced the deployment of 15,000 officers, while the EFCC said about 100 personnel would be deployed to tackle vote buying and other forms of electoral inducement.
Security was also intensified at the Osun State headquarters of INEC in Osogbo on Monday, with armed military personnel taking over security duties at the facility.
Three Armoured Personnel Carriers were reportedly stationed around the commission’s premises, alongside other security personnel.
The Osun INEC Public Relations Officer, Musa Olurode, said the commission had completed 12 of the 13 activities on its election timetable, with election day being the only outstanding activity.
«“We are fully ready for the election on Saturday,” Olurode said.»
As political tension rises ahead of the poll, the Inter-Party Advisory Council has called on political parties and their candidates to avoid inflammatory statements and allow voters to make their choices peacefully.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, urged INEC to maintain impartiality, transparency and professionalism throughout the election.
He also called on security agencies to protect voters, candidates, party agents, journalists and electoral officials without discrimination.
Dantalle appealed to political actors to pursue any grievances through lawful channels rather than resorting to violence.
«“Democracy is not simply about who wins an election; it is about ensuring that the process through which the winner emerges is credible, transparent, legitimate and reflective of the will of the people,” he said.»
Fourteen political parties are expected to participate in Saturday’s election, with Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and the African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salam among the prominent contenders.
