Ondo 2020: IGP Warns Against Electoral Fraud, Violence
Restricts Vehicular Movement
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – There will be restriction of vehicular movement in Ondo State from 11:59 pm on Friday, October 9 to 6 pm on Saturday, October 10, 2020 as part of measures to ensure a smooth and hitch-free gubernatorial election in the South West State.
This is as the Nigeria Police Force also warned the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on anyone engaging in activities capable of compromising the electoral process’ integrity.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, who gave the directive on Friday, said it is meant to aid the Force in effectively coordinating public order and safety during the poll.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, on Friday, quoted the Police boss as reiterating that “the vehicular restriction order, among other things, is aimed at preventing political actors and trouble-makers from freely engaging in unpatriotic acts, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs, movement of political thugs from contiguous States to Ondo State and disruption of the electoral processes, etc, which are inimical to the dictates of the electoral laws.
“The IGP calls on residents of the Sunshine State to go out in their numbers on the day of the election and exercise their franchise. He assures that adequate security arrangement has been emplaced to secure the public space for the election.”
The statement further said; “The IGP also enjoins the citizens to bear any inconveniences arising from the restriction order, noting that the order is part of necessary sacrifices we all have to endure to nurture and sustain democracy in the country.”
According to the Police Spokesman, the IGP has however warned “that anybody who engages in snatching of ballot boxes, vote-buying, vote-selling, hate speeches, and any other activity capable of compromising the integrity of the electoral process will be brought to book.”