The Inspector Basic of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, on Thursday ordered the restriction of all types of vehicular motion on roads, waterways, airspaces and different modes of transportation from 12:00 midday to six:00 pm within the 26 states the place the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee will function. maintain by-elections on Saturday.
This was when he warned troublemakers to avoid the train.
The IG stated the restriction order wouldn’t have an effect on individuals on important duties equivalent to INEC officers, election observers, accredited journalists and observers, each overseas and home.
The restriction order would additionally not have an effect on ambulance drivers responding to medical emergencies and firefighters, amongst others.
The states the place by-elections are happening are Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano , Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto and Zamfara.
The Drive Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in an announcement on Thursday.
Adejobi identified that “the restrictions on motion, together with the ban on VIP assistants, escorts and state safety outfits, are essential measures aimed toward stopping pointless interference or intimidation through the electoral course of.
“The IG emphasizes that these restrictions are being carried out to make sure the integrity of the elections and guarantee equal participation for all residents of the affected states.
“The IG urges political events, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and in keeping with electoral legal guidelines as any try and disrupt the electoral course of or violate the established tips might be met with the total drive of the legislation. He famous that the IG reiterated the Drive's dedication to selling a safe and democratic society.”
In the meantime, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Sokoto State, Mrs. Hauwa Kangiwa, on Thursday stated the fee had made an association with the Sokoto State Police Command to publish 15 cops at every of the 46 polling stations within the state.
“All non-sensitive supplies have already been distributed, and as we speak we’re right here for the distribution of delicate supplies to the affected native governments,” Kangiwa stated.
In Akwa Ibom State, the political events that participated within the by-election signed a peace settlement.
The Native Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Isah Ehimeakhe, whereas addressing stakeholders, referred to as on all events to decide to the settlement they signed.
In Plateau State, police stated they have been dedicated to a peaceable course of, including that the IG's motion management order could be enforced.
The spokesperson of the command, Alabo Alfred, stated: “The Plateau State Police Command has stepped up safety preparations to guard lives and property and has consequently imposed a complete restriction on all types of motion inside the affected native authorities areas together with Jos North, Jos East, Bassa, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs.”
In the meantime, the Folks's Democratic Occasion emblem was lacking from the poll papers in Plateau State.
The event triggered pressure as members of the PDP, who gathered to witness the distribution of the election supplies, protested the exclusion of their occasion from the method.
They accused INEC of appearing opposite to the judgment of the Court docket of Enchantment which acknowledged that each one events to the rehearing will contest
The PUNCH had reported that PDP supporters in Plateau State staged a protest on the INEC headquarters in Jos on Wednesday amid fears that the occasion was being expelled.
Earlier than the protests, it was rumored that the PDP and its candidates wouldn’t take part within the re-polling following the Court docket of Enchantment judgment, which canceled the elections within the two constituencies beforehand gained by the occasion's candidates, Senator Simon Mwadkwon for Plateau, have been annulled. North and Musa Agah for Jos North/Bassa federal constituency.
The Court docket of Enchantment had primarily based the nullity of their elections on the truth that the PDP, which nominated them as candidates, had no construction.
