The Nigeria Police Force has assured residents of Ekiti State of adequate security ahead of tomorrow Saturday’s governorship election, saying all necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and violence-free poll across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation for Election Security, CP Abayomi Shogunle, gave the assurance during a press briefing with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, where he disclosed that sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been safely deployed to all 16 local government areas of the state.
He said police officers have been deployed to guard the materials and would escort them from the local government headquarters to Registration Area Centres (RACs) and subsequently to polling units before voting begins on Saturday.
According to him, the Inspector-General, IGP) of Nigeria police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, approved a multi-layered security strategy for the election, following extensive threat assessments conducted across Ekiti State. He said security operatives have already secured boundary communities, major roads and forests bordering neighbouring states to prevent criminal activities.
Shogunle said the police have established camps in strategic locations and deployed specialised units, including counter-terrorism personnel and officers from the Special Intervention Squad, to strengthen security across the state.
He disclosed that at least three police officers, supported by one officer from another security agency, would be stationed at every polling unit, while additional security would be provided for INEC officials, ad hoc staff, members of the National Youth Service Corps, observers and journalists.
The police commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, reiterating the slogan, “If you see something, say something.” He said the Ekiti State Police Command Control Room would remain open throughout the election and provided the emergency number, 08062335577, for members of the public.
Shogunle warned against vote buying, ballot snatching and other electoral offences, stressing that both buyers and sellers of votes would be arrested and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
He further assured residents that the police would remain neutral throughout the exercise and encouraged eligible voters to come out and cast their votes without fear. He added that weather conditions would not disrupt the election, as alternative means of transportation have been arranged for difficult-to-reach areas and technological tools would be deployed to monitor the election environment.
He also clarified that the restriction on vehicular movement would not affect candidates sitting for scheduled examinations, while reminding voters that possession of a valid Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains a requirement for participation in the election.
