Residents of Bayelsa State have been reassured by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] and the state’s security services that they are ready for the governorship election scheduled for November 11.
They provided the guarantee over the weekend at a meeting between the state’s Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC.
Speaking to reporters in Yenagoa, Professor Mahmud stated that he was in the state to evaluate the general condition of preparation for the conduct of the governorship election that is scheduled for this Saturday.
He said that after consulting with state transporters, security agencies had guaranteed that they were ready, willing, and able to safeguard the environment to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in the state. He also added that electoral supplies would be delivered ahead of schedule.
“We recently met with the security agencies, and they reassured us that they are prepared to offer the necessary security to ensure a peaceful election in Bayelsa,” he said.
“The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, the National Association of Road Transport Owners, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers have a standing agreement with us.
“To give us plenty of time, the movement will start two days before the election this time around.
“And the security agencies will assist the commission in monitoring the transportation providers so that the polling places will open on time and the exercise will be finished on time at the polling place.”
In addition to the deployment of at least 30,000 security guards, state police commissioner Mr Tolani Alausa gave assurances that sufficient arrangements would be made for the movement of materials, primarily in the riverine zones, and that the police were ready for a peaceful election.
Not less than 30,000 police personnel, including those from other sister agencies, will be deployed. “We have put in place sufficient security measures to protect the supplies and machinery that will be removed from Yenagoa. We will focus a lot on transferring items across because we have 80% water, he stated.
Commodore Abdulakim Ojebode, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Soroh, also spoke during his speech and stated that the Nigerian Navy was ready to create a favourable atmosphere for the election.
”The Nigerian Navy is prepared to assist INEC, the leading electoral body in Bayelsa. Because of the state’s unusual makeup and its 80 per cent marine environment, the Navy must provide its unique support, he said.
