Edo, Ondo polls: INEC set to meet security agencies

By Jude Opara, Abuja

In order to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Friday meeting with the leadership of all the security agencies.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who revealed this at the Third Quarterly Consultative Meeting of the Commission with media practitioners said the meeting which comes under the Inter- Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) will discuss modalities to coordinate security to ensure a free and fair exercise.
He particularly reacted to the incident in Benin when supporters of Governor Godwin Obaseki and former Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu which led to the death of a policeman.
“The Commission finds the recent event in Edo State resulting in the death of a security personnel worrisome. Happily, there has been no incident known to the Commission since then. Nevertheless, the Commission will meet with the security agencies as early as Friday this week under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue for discussion at the meeting. We are as concerned about the safety of your personnel and equipment just as we are about the security of our own officials, observers, service providers and, above all, the voters. We will also work with the security agencies to ensure that accredited journalists are granted unimpeded access to all voting and collation locations”.
Prof. Yakubu also urged media organizations and practitioners who wish to cover the September 21 Edo state governorship election to upload their data with picture to the Commission’s website for the production of their accreditation cards.
”As the Edo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind media organisations that the portal for media accreditation (https://imap.inecnigeria.org) is still open. As at 8.02am today, Wednesday 31st July 2024, 24 media organisations representing print, radio, television and online have uploaded the details of 227 personnel for the election. I urge you to expedite action by ensuring that all interested media organisations submit their applications before the deadline of Thursday 5th September 2024. This will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the accreditation tags for your reporters, camera operators, technical and other support staff in good time for the election”.
He urged the media to remember their obligation to report factually and accurately about the election and electoral activities in compliance with the ethics of your noble profession.
In his remarks, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo thanked the Commission for creating the opportunity to interface with media practitioners, saying it will accord all the stakeholders the chance to execute their obligations effectively and efficiently.
“The importance of engaging with the media, especially in the context of elections, cannot be overemphasized. The media serves as the bridge between the electoral commission and the citizens, ensuring that accurate information is disseminated, electoral processes are transparent, and the voices of the people are heard. This synergy between INEC and the media is crucial as we approach the off-season gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states”.