Bye-elections: IGP restricts movement in 26 states (+FULL LIST)

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has restricted vehicular movement from 12:00 am to 6:00pm on Saturday in states where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is conducting bye-elections.

The electoral umpire had scheduled February 3 for bye-elections in 26 states.

The statement issued on Thursday by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, exempted those rendering essential services, like INEC officials, staff of accredited media, and emergency responders.

Egbetokun also banned security aides to VIPs from polling booths across the 26 states.

He also ordered that all state-owned security outfits be banned from election security management, saying the move was to prevent interference.

Emphasising the commitment to a secure electoral process, the IGP urged responsible conduct and warned of legal consequences for disruptions.

The statement reads in full : “IGP DIRECTS MASSIVE DEPLOYMENT, ENFORCEMENT OF MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS, BAN ON VIP AIDES, ESCORTS, STATE SECURITY OUTFITS FOR 2024 RUN-OFF/BYE-ELECTIONS ACROSS 26 STATES

As IGP Calls on Citizens to Adhere to Rule of Law, Assures of Free Exercise of Voting Rights

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day in all states where elections will be conducted, with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers both foreign and domestic, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc., during the upcoming 2024 run-off and bye-elections scheduled to take place across 26 states on Saturday February 3, 2024. The affected states include Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

The IGP has also ordered a ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers during the election. State-established and owned security outfits and organizations, quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

The movement restrictions, including the ban on VIP aides, escorts, and state security outfits, are crucial measures aimed at preventing any undue interference or intimidation during the electoral process. The IGP emphasizes that these restrictions are implemented to safeguard the integrity of the elections and guarantee equal participation for all citizens of the affected states.

The IGP urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and in accordance with the electoral laws, as any attempt to disrupt the electoral process or violate the established guidelines will be met with the full force of the law.

The Inspector General of Police reiterates the commitment of the Force to fostering a secure and democratic society, and therefore encourages citizens to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may undermine the electoral process to the appropriate authorities via the following phone numbers; 08034040439 (CP Elections); 08031230631 (Toll Free); 08057000001, 08057000002 (Complaint Response Unit); @ngpolice (Facebook); @PoliceNG (X); [email protected] (e-mail).

The IGP expresses confidence that, through collective efforts, the upcoming run-off and bye-elections will be conducted peacefully, transparently, and in line with the principles of democracy.”