Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has assured voters that security challenges experienced during the residential and National Assembly elections will not repeat itself on Saturday during the Governorship and House of Assembly poll.
According to him, efforts have been intensified to ensure that every registered voter in the state by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) participate without any security hindrance.
The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule and other cabinet members, gave the assurance yesterday after the weekly Executive meeting at the State House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
He stressed that the security challenges experienced after the just concluded election had been dealt with and efforts have been made to prevent a reoccurrence
The governor said: “We were very much aware of the incidences that occurred after the presidential and National Assembly election in the state. We have taken proper care of that.
“The peace, harmonious relationship and security that had existed in the state are very paramount to this government. We will ensure that everyone that is eligible to vote perform his civic duties without intimidation.”
The governor argued that the state government understand that the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos and efforts would be made often to ensure it sustain that status.
He went: “We will ensure that Saturday election is held without hitches. We want to assure all residents of the state of their safety. Lagos is a cosmopolitan state and it will remain like that even after the election.
“We encourage every resident that had been registered by INEC to come out and perform their civic duties. The security agencies have assured us that there will be adequate security in the state during and after the poll.”
The governor, however, noted that giant strides recorded in Lagos could only be sustained when every electorate vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the party’s other candidates.
“We believe in continuity in this government and that is why we have decided to back every candidate of the party. So, we urged everyone to support and vote every APC candidates in Lagos,” Ambode said.
Echoing the governor, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Zubairu Muazu, said that his Command has doubled security, especially in areas identified as flashpoints.
Muazu said that armed security operatives would be stationed at closest locations to polling units to forestall disruption of the voting process as was witnessed during the Presidential/National Assembly election in Okota and other areas.
Muazu spoke at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja while briefing reporters on the security arrangement for the forthcoming election.
He denied reports that there was lack of synergy among security agencies and that gave rise to attacks by miscreants, noting that all the services worked in collaboration and were still doing so.
Already, Muazu said plans have been concluded for the marine police unit and operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) to cover the state’s riverine communities.
Assuring voters of their security on Election Day, Muazu urged them to come out and vote candidates of their choice, noting that miscreants who disrupted elections were being prosecuted.
He said: “It is also insinuated that certain ethnic nationalities are deliberately denied or prevented from voting for political reasons or to enhance the fortunes of a particular political party.
“Let me categorically state here that those attacks were planned and orchestrated by miscreants, most of whom have been apprehended and are facing prosecution.
“Let me re-emphasise that Lagos State is peaceful and Lagosians are peace-loving. There is no ethnic group or community under threat in any part of the state. We have reviewed and redoubled our strategies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections come March 9. Our surveillance and patrols are intensified, especially in identified flashpoints.
“I am using this medium to call on Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses and to continue to support the police by being vigilant and report any suspicious movement or persons throughout emergency numbers so that we can serve them better.
“I use this medium to warn people who sit in their homes, offices and generate fake news, which they circulate on social media deliberately to fan the ember of hate among the various peace-loving entities in Lagos State. They should desist from this act or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
“I want to reassure the good people of Lagos State that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies are working round the clock to ensure their safety and security. They should come out en masse to cast their votes to the candidates of their choice as their security is fully guaranteed.”
Muazu denied claims that the alleged ballot box snatcher in Okota, identified as Demola, escaped from the hospital, insisting that the suspect and nine others held for electoral offences in that axis have been sent to Abuja as directed by the acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu.
“It is untrue that Demola fled from the hospital. While he was being treated, he was granted administrative bail based on doctor’s recommendation that he was not fit enough to stand trial. But he has since returned to us and has been transferred to Abuja with others arrested for electoral offences that day. They are being centrally prosecuted,” said Muazu.
The police chief also confirmed that 20 suspected cultists were arrested during a raid of flashpoints within the week, adding that such raids would continue to keep off elements that might want to disrupt the process.