Heads of security operatives in Plateau state have assured citizens of the state of adequate security of lives and property during and after the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for 10th October 2018.
Commissioner of police Plateau state command Undie Adie, said the police and other security agencies have concluded arrangements to secure the forthcoming council elections in the state.
Mr. Undie stated this Friday in Jos, at a joint security Chiefs meeting, as part of preparations toward a successful polls; the elections is to be held in 13 out of the 17 council areas, electoral commission, due to insecurities in Barkinladi, Riyom, Jos south and Jos north, the commission had stated.
CP Undie however warned that anyone found contravening the process will be prosecuted according to the guidelines of the elections.
“Our role as security agencies in the elections is clearly defined, ours is to secure the process at all levels, but let me warn, anyone who is caught doing anything on the centrally shall face the full wrath of the law.”
Mr Undie also assured that “I want to assure that the police and other security agencies will not engage in vote buying.”
Speaking on non attendance of political parties at the meeting, particularly the PDP and APC, the commissioner of police said all decisions taken at the stakeholders meeting was binding on all stakeholders.
Heads of opposition political parties who participated in the said meeting appealed to the security operatives to ensure a free and fair elections.
Chief Andrew Nanyah Daman, state chairman ADP Plateau state who said has four chairmanship candidates and 18 Counsellor-ship candidates are contesting in the elections, Mr Daman feared that the elections might not be free and fair.
Other heads of opposition political parties who attended the meeting also expressed fears that security operatives might compromise their role and assist the ruling political parties.
But representative of the APC, the ruling political party in Plateau state, Bashiru Sati said APC as a political party has confidence in the security agencies to deliver on it mandate.
Mr. Bashiru Sati represented APC chairman Latep Dabang, Mr. Sati is the state publicity secretary of the APC in Plateau state, he came to the meeting, minutes before the closing prayers, after about three hours of deliberations.
The APC spokesman told the gathering that he was late at the meeting due to extension of APC party primaries ongoing in the state for the 2019 general elections.
Sadly, the local government electoral commission, “Plateau Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC)” in charge of the elections were absent at the meeting.
But chairman of the commission Fabian Ntung had previously in a media briefing said preparations for the conduct of the elections have been concluded, including training of ad-hoc staff and distribution of non sensitive materials has commenced.
The meeting of security heads also had Journalists in attendance; the following heads of security agencies, DSS NSCDC, Immigrations, NDELA, SSS, Nigerian Army, FRSC, Customs and Police, the convener, were present.
The commissioner had said police Orderlies of political office holders in the state will be withdrawn from the said persons on election day.
Similarly, movement of persons and vehicles shall be restricted on the election day, as stated by FRSC sector commander in the state.
