EKITI 2014: Heavy security informed by 1983 experience —IG

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, the Nigeria Police authorities have read the Riot Act to politicians in Ekiti State, warning them that more arrests would be made if any of them are found to have breached the Electoral Act. This is just as the police warned that any of the 18 party candidates contesting Saturday’s election who runs fowl of the electoral Laws will be arrested no matter his status. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, who gave the warning on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti while speaking at a stakeholders forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced to the gathering that the heavy presence of security operatives from the various agencies was informed by the experience of 1983 general election. He said he was not a stranger to elections in Ekiti, saying the need to avoid a repeat of the 1983 election experience informed the need to ensure adequate security of life and property in the state. He said: “Each senatorial district would have 126 armed mobile policemen on patrol. There will be a detachment of military men on standby and to come on if their services are needed. There will be helicopters on aerial patrol in each of the senatorial districts. We are doing this because some of us were involved in election in Ekiti in 1983.” The Police boss in his speech, warned all public office holders, without exception not to move about in government vehicles on that day in the name of monitoring the election.