Police restrict vehicular movement in 23 states, as INEC conducts 2023 supplementary elections

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 5 pm in 23 states across the federation, this Saturday, over the scheduled supplementary elections to be conducted in the affected locations.

It would be recalled that arising from its meeting held March 27, this year, in Abuja, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed Saturday, April 15 to conduct supplementary elections in 23 states for all outstanding governorship, national and state Assembly seats.

According to the police chief, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Aejobi, Friday, the directive to restrict vehicular movement in the 23 states does not affect those on essential services such as INEC Officials, Electoral Observers, Accredited Media and Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, and others.

“Similarly, the IGP reiterates the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election. State-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

“The affected states comprise Adamawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Imo, Kano, Kogi, Oyo, Rivers, Taraba, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna,Niger, Ogun, Yobe, Katsina, and Enugu States.

“The Inspector General of Police, therefore, urges all citizens to be law abiding during and after the elections even as he assures that all necessary security arrangements have been emplaced to ensure they exercise their franchise unhindered.

“He also urges the general public to contact the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters via 08033440189 (DIG Operations), 08033027731 (AIG FEDOPS), and 08034040439 (CP Elections), the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ on Android and ios, and via the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on 08031230631, to request emergency security response. Similarly, other election situation room numbers which have been shared on Nigeria Police social media platforms will be repeatedly released by concerned State Police Commands for necessary emergency contact,” the statement read, Friday.

Meanwhile, INEC has confirmed that distribution of sensitive election materials took place earlier today at the Commission’s office, Geidam Local Government Area, Yobe State, in preparation for the supplementary election fixed for 15th April 2023.

This is also as distribution of sensitive materials for the Kebbi State Governorship supplementary election took place today at the Commission’s State Office in Birnin Kebbi. Three National Commissioners, Barr. Festus Okoye, Profs Muhammad Sani (SAN) and Muhammad Kallah were there.

Also, the Administrative Secretary, Kaduna State, Mr. Auwal Muhammad Mashi, Friday, addressed stakeholders after a joint inspection of sensitive materials for the supplementary election holding tomorrow Saturday.

Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, Friday, addressed critical stakeholders on the Commission’s preparedness for the Oji River State Constituency supplementary election, Saturday.

In a related development, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC) in Kano, Prof. Abdu Zango has disclosed that adequate preparations to conduct a hitch free supplementary elections in 14 state constituencies and two federal constituencies in the state has been concluded.

Speaking to journalists at the state INEC headquarters, Zango confirmed that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been distributed to the designated areas where elections are scheduled to hold on Saturday.

He said the elections have been slated to commence at 8:30 a.m and round up by mid-afternoon.

“As you can see, the INEC headquarters is bubbling with activities. We have been very busy. The ad-hoc staff have received training and they are prepared to carry out their duties. We have concluded our briefings and other activities, and we are good to go,” he added.

The Kano REC further stated that all the needed arrangements have been made to ensure adequate security during and after the supplementary election.

“Security agencies have carried out operational plan, and we are very confident that the operational plans will work out effectively,” he said.

Prof. Zango said he and his management team have met with all stakeholders concerned in the conduct of the election, adding that they have agreed to ensure a hitch-free and violent-free exercise.

“We have spoken to the politicians from all the political parties and urge them conduct themselves peacefully, because election is not war.”

The supplementary elections for Federal House of Representatives are scheduled to hold in Fagge Federal Constituency and Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency.

More so, the state House of Assembly supplementary elections will hold in 14 state House of Assembly seats which include Ajingi, Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa, Gwarzo, Gezawa, Makoda, Takai, Ungogo, Warawa, Gabasawa, Tudun Wada, Gaya, Wudil and Garko.

The Kano REC also gave reasons the Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency supplementary election could not be postponed as requested by the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), pointing out that doing so will go against the dictates of the electoral law.

He added that, “holding the election in Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency on Saturday is directly in line with the electoral law. Any postponement will go counter to the electoral act.”