Elections: Lagos monarchs charges INEC to double security
Traditional Rulers in Lagos State on Thursday advised the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to double the strength and size of security personnel to be deployed for general elections in the state.
The traditional rulers made the appeal at the INEC interactive session with traditional rulers on the commission’s preparation for the general elections in Lagos.
The meeting, which had several royal majesties in attendance, was held at the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alausa, Secretariat.
According to royal fathers, though the traditional institutions have commenced mobilisations and prayers for peaceful elections, security must be doubled to meet up with the challenge of whopping number of political parties and voters.
The Oba of Lagos and Chairman, Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, 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 Abagboland, 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 a 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, 00 in Isolo, that means we have to double the number of security you are bringing,’’ Agbabiaka added.
Other traditional rulers at the event include, Oba Ganiyu Aderibigbe, the Alayandelu of Ode Ayandelu, the Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Alolu-Menu, Toyi I, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi among others.
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.
Also speaking, 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.
The traditional rulers made the appeal at the INEC interactive session with traditional rulers on the commission’s preparation for the general elections in Lagos.
The meeting, which had several royal majesties in attendance, was held at the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alausa, Secretariat.
According to royal fathers, though the traditional institutions have commenced mobilisations and prayers for peaceful elections, security must be doubled to meet up with the challenge of whopping number of political parties and voters.
The Oba of Lagos and Chairman, Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, 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 Abagboland, 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 a 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, 00 in Isolo, that means we have to double the number of security you are bringing,’’ Agbabiaka added.
Other traditional rulers at the event include, Oba Ganiyu Aderibigbe, the Alayandelu of Ode Ayandelu, the Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Alolu-Menu, Toyi I, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi among others.
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.
Also speaking, 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.
