EDO: Quasi-security outfits not allowed, IGP insists ahead of election

Egbetokun shared this during the Edo Election Security Townhall, a program organized by Channels Television in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative and the UK International Development.

He affirmed, “We will remain impartial, professional, and vigilant while ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and candidates. Quasi-security organizations will not be allowed to participate in this election. Only the police and authorized security agencies will be deployed, as was the case in previous elections. Anyone found carrying offensive weapons on election day will be treated as an armed criminal.”

Egbetokun reassured citizens of peaceful outcomes, confirming that the Edo State Security Network, along with other state and private security outfits, will be prohibited from involvement in the election security next Saturday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mba, further emphasized that this policy aligns with existing conventions and the Electoral Act, reiterating that vigilantes are not permitted to participate in elections. Any quasi-security personnel found on duty on election day will be arrested.

Tensions have been high in the state, with 95 incidents of violence, including 35 electoral-related cases, recorded since January. Notably, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently refused to sign a peace accord signed by 16 other parties fielding candidates.

THE upcoming election is expected to be a tight contest between Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

Akpata is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, while Ighodalo, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has the backing of the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki. Meanwhile, Philip Shaibu and former governor Adams Oshiomhole are supporting Okpebholo.

Over 2.6 million registered voters from 18 local government areas will decide the next governor.

Edo is one of the eight states where off-season governorship elections are held due to legal and judicial rulings, alongside Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo.