With the September 21 Edo State Governorship Election fast approaching, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has made it clear that quasi-security outfits will not be allowed to participate in election security in the state.
Speaking at the Edo Election Security Townhall, organized by Channels Television in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative and the UK International Development, Egbetokun emphasized the need for impartiality and professionalism.
“We will remain impartial, professional, and vigilant, ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and candidates,” the IGP said. “No quasi-security organizations will be permitted to engage in election security. Only the police and other authorized security agencies will be deployed, just as in previous elections.”
He warned that anyone found carrying weapons on election day would be treated as an armed criminal.
Egbetokun reassured Edo residents that the election would have peaceful outcomes. His remarks mean that the Edo State Security Network and other similar state or privately run outfits will be barred from participating in election security.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mba supported the IGP’s stance, noting that the Electoral Act prohibits vigilantes from participating in elections. Any quasi-security personnel found on duty during the election would be arrested.
The political atmosphere in Edo has intensified over the past year, with 95 recorded incidents of violence, including 35 related to electoral activities, since January. Notably, last week, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declined to sign a peace pact with 16 other parties contesting the election.
Analysts describe the election as a three-way race among Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP). Akpata, a former Nigerian Bar Association president, faces Ighodalo, former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, who has received the endorsement of Governor Godwin Obaseki. Okpebholo has the backing of both Philip Shaibu, Obaseki’s estranged deputy, and former governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Over 2.6 million registered voters from 18 local government areas will determine the next governor of Edo, one of eight states where governorship elections are held off-cycle due to court rulings.