Be Decisive During Edo/Ondo Election Campaigns, Prof Yakubu charges Security Agencies 

Oru Leonard 

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has called on the Security Agencies to be decisive during the forthcoming governorship election campaigns in Edo and Ondo States, in order to avoid abuse of power of incumbency in the process.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated this while addressing the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security ((ICCES), in this year’s Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting held at INEC headquarters, Abuja Thursday.

Yakubu said that activities relating to the forthcoming Governorship elections electorates need to know are Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), in the two States that will enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.

“We need security protection for the registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers and journalists that will cover the exercise.# The detailed locations of the registration centres have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting to guide your operational plans to secure the process.

“I urge you to keep your eyes on the electioneering process with a view to preventing violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties, candidates and their supporters during their campaigns.

“Similarly, the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as Radio and Television stations, public buildings for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies often result in the breach of the peace.

“These actions, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities, violate the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.

“The security agencies have a duty to ensure the enforcement of the law”, he told them”, INEC Chairman said.