General elections: Increase security personnel, traditional rulers task INEC

The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) has been counseled by the Traditional Rulers in Lagos State to bolster security by
deploying enough officers ahead of the general elections in the state
to ensure a peaceful election.

The traditional rulers made the appeal at the INEC interactive parley
with traditional rulers on the commission’s preparation for the polls in Lagos, held at the state Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alausa with most of the royal majesties in attendance.

According to royal fathers, though the traditional institutions have
commenced mobilizations and prayers for peaceful elections, security must be doubled to meet up with the challenge of whopping number of political parties and voters.

Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos and Chairman, Lagos State Council
of Traditional Rulers said that security was critical in electoral
process as well as logistics for the distribution of electoral officers and materials.

Akiolu, who was represented by Oba Mohammed Adio, the Onisiwo of
Tomoro and Abagbo land, Eti-Osa said that the royal fathers had been
supporting the commission and would continue.

“We have worked enough to create the environment for people to really
come out; we have done our best as royal fathers close to the
grassroots; but this is not enough, we need security. Sometimes, it is
amazing that police will say they are sending for instance 10, 000
policemen for over 4,000 polling units. If we have enough policemen,
it will help in the conduct of peaceful elections.

“We need to look at the area of security. Sometimes, most crises are
as a result of the late arrival of materials and personnel. We have
been asking for the cooperation of our subjects and we will continue
to do that. Lagos has been very peaceful state, we will maintain that
and remain law abiding,’’ Akiolu said.

He added that number of security personnel must match the number of
polling units and voting points, calling on the government to provide
speed boats to access riverine communities and checkmate threats.

The traditional ruler, who frowned at late arrival of electoral officers and materials to polling units, said traditional institutions had been assisting in providing logistics especially at riverine areas.

Also speaking, the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka said: “As
royal fathers, it is our duty to complement the effort of INEC and
government of Nigeria during the election. However, INEC must work on mobility and security at polling units and wards.’’

Agbabaika urged the commission to engage traditional and local
security outfits alongside the conventional security agencies, saying landlords and CDAs had been helping in past elections on logistics
with their personal vehicles.

“INEC must make sure there is enough mobility from polling units to
collation centres.  INEC must use all forms of security-government and
local, to ensure adequate protection of voters and their votes. In
some polling units, you see policemen without arms, people will have no cause to fear. INEC official should be mixed-male and female.
“With the increase in the number of registered voters in Lagos,
security should be double. With over 700, 000 voters in Alimosho and
400, 000 in Isolo, that means we have to double the number of security you are bringing,’’ Agbabiaka added.

Oba Ganiyu Aderibigbe, the Alayandelu of Ode Ayandelu added that INEC had to beef up security, especially at riverine areas, saying hoodlum always concentrate on these areas to perpetrate their evil.

Aderibigbe said: “If security is no enough, there will be fear of
coming out to vote. We need more security in Lagos because of its
cosmopolitan city with different tribes.’’

The Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Alolu-Menu, Toyi I urged INEC to prepare adequately and work hard on security, saying polling officers
must ensure polling units were open at 8:00am.

Speaking, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi, who said that royal father were looking forward to witnessing peaceful
elections, saying royal fathers were not politicians but concern about
welfare of the people.

Shotobi, the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Traditional
Rulers and Chiefs, who urged the commission to be accessible, said
“All the traditional rulers here want peaceful election’’.

Other traditional rulers took turns to accentuate the need for more
security to enhance peaceful elections.

In his remarks, Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner
of INEC, said that as custodians of traditional and moral values, the
commission needed support in mobilizing the electorate for peaceful
and proper conduct.
Olumekun said that the task of delivering credible, peaceful,
acceptable, free and fair elections should not be left in the hands of
the electoral umpire alone, saying traditional rulers must be
involved.

The INEC boss said: “As custodians of our moral values, the need for
peaceful elections is absolutely necessary to consolidate and deepen
democracy in the country.No matter how well elections are conducted,
if the outcome is conflict-ridden and violent, it loses its essence of
deepening democracy.
“The commission needs to collaborate with all stakeholders including traditional institutions to ensure that peace reigns before, during and after elections.We cannot achieve a seamless and successful
election without your cooperation. We solicit your unalloyed support
and advice on every aspect of our operations.’’
Olumekun called on the royal fathers to get involved in the area of
voter education, preaching against thuggery, violence, vote selling as
well as curbing voter apathy.
In his remarks, Mr Waheed Ishola, the Director, National Orientation
Agency (NOA), Lagos State said that parley with the royal majesty was
necessary to ensure success of the poll and to ensure peace.

“We need the support of the royal Majesty to calm the people, appeal
to their subjects and political gladiators, election are not do-or-die
affairs.Please appeal to them to play the game according to rule. It
is only when we have peace that Lagos can move forward.