Security upped as Anambra gov’ship poll holds tomorrow

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow conduct the governorship election in Anambra State.

Thirty-seven candidates, including five women, are vying for the number one seat in the state. The prominent contenders include the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano (APGA), Tony Nwoye (APC), Oseloka Obaze (PDP) and Osita Chidoka (UPP).

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, said the commission would deploy 23,000 ad hoc staff for the poll, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and those redeployed from other states.

In September, the REC said no fewer than two million voters were registered for the governorship election.

Last Tuesday, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, pledged the commissions’ resolve for free, credible and transparent electoral process.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has approved the deployment of no fewer than 26,000 police officers to provide security cover for tomorrow’s election.

Idris also authorised the deployment of three helicopters and some gunboats for both air and water surveillance to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct, enable the conduct of a hitch-free election and guarantee security of lives and property before, during and after the elections.

He also announced that three commissioners of police and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) had been deployed to the state ahead of the polls.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG Operations) would directly oversee security operations in the state as the field commander.

In addition, all Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders have been swapped to avoid familiarity with political actors and to maintain neutrality during the election.

He said the three CP’s would oversee each of the operational zones in the state, to ensure tight security both during and after the elections.

Similarly, the Police Service Commission (PSC) said it would send a 17-member team to Anambra to monitor the conduct of policemen in the governorship election.

The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has also approved the deployment of 15,000 personnel, sniffer dogs and Mobile Surveillance Vehicles to ensure a hitch free exercise.