Steer Clear Of The Anambra Election ICCES Warns Vigilant Groups
With barely two weeks to the Anambra State governorship election, authorities have rolled out one of the most comprehensive security operations in Nigeria’s recent democratic history, a move aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful and credible poll amid growing political tension in the region.
At the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, members agreed that only federal security agencies represented in ICCES would be involved in election duty, ruling out the participation of vigilante groups or state security outfits
In his speech, the chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), expressed confidence in the Commission’s readiness for the election.
He announced that INEC would deploy 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units, while reaffirming plans for real-time result collation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
According to the INEC Boss, the Commission is ready for large-scale deployment on Election Day, its commitment is to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
Amupitan noted that the Commission had extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state until 2nd November 2025.
He commended security agencies for their coordination and urged them to sustain synergy in protecting electoral materials, personnel, and voters.
The Chairman also warned against voter inducement, calling on law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to clamp down on vote buying to safeguard electoral integrity.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director of Internal Security at the ONSA, Hassan Abdullahi, said the government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a secure electoral environment.
“We have put in place robust security measures, enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering, and sufficient deployment of personnel, to prevent any attempt to undermine the electoral process,” Abdullahi stated.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by CP Abayomi Sogunle announced a 45,000-strong police deployment to Anambra, describing it as a “no-nonsense security lockdown.”
According to the IGP, every road, every route in and out of Anambra will be manned. We are not leaving anything to chance,” the IGP declared
From 1st November, tactical units will begin pre-election operations, including the clearance of potential flashpoints.
Authorities have also announced a statewide restriction on movement on election day to ensure order.
The unprecedented scale of coordination, under the supervision of the National Security Adviser’s office, signals Abuja’s determination to deliver a violence-free and credible election in Anambra, one expected to set a new benchmark for electoral security in Nigeria.
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