By Kamil Opeyemi
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day.
However, those on essential services such as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, accredited media and observers as well as emergency responders are excluded.
“This directive excludes the Federal Capital Territory as no election is being conducted therein.
“Similarly, the IGP reiterates the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election,” the Force PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi said in a statement released on Thursday
The IGP also barred state-established security outfits and privately-owned outfits from participating in election security management.
The IGP urged all citizens to be law-abiding during and after the elections even as he assured Nigerians that all necessary security arrangements have been emplaced to ensure they exercise their franchise unhindered.
“He also urges the general public to contact the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters via 08033440189 (DIG Operations), 08033027731 (AIG FEDOPS), and 08034040439 (CP Elections), the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ on Android and ios, and via the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on 08031230631, to request emergency security response.”
Adejobi added that other election situation room numbers which have been shared on Nigeria Police social media platforms will be repeatedly released by concerned State Police Commands for necessary emergency contact.
With the conduct of the presidential and legislative polls on Feb 25th across the country, Nigerians will head to the polls again on Saturday, March 18, 2023 to elect a new set of governors and state assembly members.
Significantly, 18 political parties fielded candidates for the elections slated to hold in 28 out of the 36 states of the Federation. This is so as the governorship elections of eight states (Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo) are held off-season due to litigations and court judgements that truncated the regularity of governorship elections in the country.
Meanwhile, elections for members of state legislature will hold in the 36 states of the Federation.
According to INEC, thousands of candidates are competing for 993 State Houses of Assembly seats.