Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu is expected in Akure, the Ondo State capital this week for three critical events as preparations for the November 16 governorship election enter the final stage.
The Nigerian Tribune observed that the visit of the INEC boss is part of the activities lined up by the commission in the final buildup to the offseason poll.
During the visit, Yakubu will assess the readiness of the local government area offices on November 5, while the mock accreditation exercise will hold on November 6 in the state.
The other activities include a stakeholders’ meeting slated for November 7 by 10 am at the Dome International Event Centre, while the signing of a peace accord by the political parties comes up on November 8 at 10 am at the same venue.
In the last few weeks, there has been a rise in the tempo of political activities with the candidates for the election stepping up electioneering, just as the INEC intensified sensitisation programme to get the cooperation of all stakeholders.
According to the commission, a total of 2,053,061 registered voters are expected to decide the fate of the candidates, among whom are Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Olusola Ebiseni of the Labour Party (LP).
The campaign has been relatively peaceful, though it is often characterised by allegations and counter-allegations by the different camps.
On security, the Ondo State Police Command said it has been working hard to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and engaged sister security agencies, civil society organisations, youth groups, and political stakeholders.
It appealed to political parties and their supporters to shun violence and said the command would not hesitate to arrest political thugs.
However, the opposition has vowed to resist an alleged plot to draft the State Security Network, Amotekun into the election, claiming that the reappointment of the state Amotekun Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye was a ploy to use the corps to favour the ruling APC in the election.
The allegations by PDP campaign council spokesman, Ayo Fadaka, in a statement, described the plan as an abuse of power and privileges that would be counter-productive.
But the APC through its Director of Media, Steve Otaloro, said there was no plan to involve Amotekun Corps in the election because the security outfit is not part of the security committee in the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Council
Otaloro stated that Amotekun remained a professional body dedicated to protecting the people and not engaging in politics.
“The PDP’s allegations of violence, thuggery, and plans to cause security scares are also baseless. In fact, it’s the PDP that’s been crying wolf, trying to distract from their own lack of preparation for the election,” he said.
“We urge the security agencies to investigate these claims and bring perpetrators to justice”
While Fadaka maintained that “the party takes serious cognisance of actions the APC continues to take with a view to criminally compromise the Nov 16th election.
“We firmly place on record that Adeleye’s appointment is an undisguised attempt to make the Amotekun Corps play roguish roles like hooliganism and thuggery activities as we prepare for the election.
“This plan is an abuse of power and privileges and, if not quickly nipped in the bud, will be counter-productive with very deep consequences”
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