Edo Police Commissioner Assures Neutrality Ahead of Governorship Election

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, has assured neutrality in all activities related to the upcoming governorship election in the state.

Speaking on Thursday, Adegboye emphasized that no individual or political party would be allowed to hijack any part of the electoral process leading to the September 16 election.

Addressing newsmen in Benin after a closed-door meeting between INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and security agencies, Adegboye stressed the importance of impartiality for the successful conduct of the election.

He assured that a level playing field would be provided for all political players, stating, “There will not be anything like hijack.

People that are not supposed to man electoral processes will not be allowed to take part. People should rest assured; they should go for the registration without fear.”

Adegboye also promised that there would be appropriate synergy among security agencies in preparing for the election, including in riverine areas and difficult terrains.

INEC Chairman, Yakubu, described the meeting as a routine engagement with security and intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and emergency services in preparation for the election.

“We have the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), co-chaired by the INEC chairman and the National Security Adviser at the national level.

This same arrangement is replicated at the state level, chaired by the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police,” Yakubu explained.

Yakubu noted that the meeting discussed various issues, including preparations for the election and complaints from some political parties.

He announced that INEC and security agencies would meet with political parties on Friday to address these complaints.

“It’s not a crisis meeting, it’s just a routine meeting with the political parties ahead of the election, so that we have a seamless process in Edo State,” Yakubu stated.