Fear of electoral violence has gripped members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) recruited as ad-hoc electoral officers for the governorship election in Ondo State.
But the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, has assured them of safety, saying there is no cause for alarm.
Allaying their fears, he said security measures were being put in place to guarantee their safety.
The Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) and NYSC authorities have said that participation in the poll as an ad-hoc electoral officer is optional.
Those participating described the election as an extension of their duties.
After training, participants sat for a qualifying test. Only those who pass the test will be shortlisted for the assignment.
Some corps members who spoke with our correspondent in Akure at the two-day training organised by INEC at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure said their concern is security.
There were reported cases of killings of corps members posted to serve in some northern states during the last general election, a development which made many prospective corps members of southern origin to decline serving in the region.
Corps members in Akure expressed reservations about their safety as polling officers, following reports of violence that marred the campaigns of political parties in the state ahead of the October 20 poll. They said the recurrent clashes between the supporters of the Labour Party (LP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) portend a bad omen.
A corps member, who identified herself as Lynda, said: “I am from Imo State. I don’t know this place very well. I cannot speak the language of the people, although I’m learning it in my place of primary assignment. Akure people are nice to corpers, but if they post me to any place outside the capital to work as an ad-hoc electoral officer, I will not go. My safety is very important.”
Another NYSC member from Ilorin, Kwara State, who preferred anonymity, said: “The only reason I accepted the job of an ad-hoc electoral officer is that I know that no corper will be killed in any part of the Southwest because the people are civilised and educated. There is no family in Yorubaland that has not produced a corper. If there is free and fair election, there will be no problem. However, there is need for security.”
Some corps members also expressed fear about the long distance between Akure and the coastal areas. One of them said: “I may opt out of the exercise because they are saying those of us going to far places have to move on the eve of the election. They say we will sleep in the locality so that we can get to the polling stations in time. This may sound good, but we don’t have foreknowledge of the type of accommodation they will provide for us. We keep worrying about security because life has no duplicate.”
A corps member, who exuded confidence about security, said: “Ondo is the only state where election is holding now. This means electoral officers will be drafted here to complement the efforts of electoral officers on ground and those of us who are corpers will supplement what remains. I also have the feeling that security agents from other states will be drafted to Ondo to assist their colleagues. The Inspector-General of Police has promised to be in the state on the day of the election. Southwest people are lovers of education and human capital development and I know that no corper will be killed. We will appear in our uniform on the day of the election. I am not a Yoruba, but I feel safe here.”
A female corps member said serving as an ad—hoc electoral officer in the riverine areas requires special preparation, adding that “this is challenging if you are afraid of rivers or you don’t know how to swim. I am aware that there will be life jackets, but remember that a boat capsized during the election in Edo State. Those going to the riverine areas should be catered for.”
Last month, Inspector-General Mohammed Abubakar said he would relocate to Ondo State to supervise the security arrangement for the poll.
He warned dubious people who might want to be willing tools in the hands of politicians as thugs to flee the state or incur the wrath of the police.
He urged road transport workers to reject entreaties from politicians to disrupt the poll.
Orebiyi acknowledged the preparedness of the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the election.
He enjoined the people, including corps members, not to panic, assuring that peace would reign in Ondo State.
He said: “Security agents will not be in short supply. We have a joint committee meeting with the representatives of the political parties and all we discuss there is peace and tranquility. We have made arrangements about campaign schedules to prevent rally clashes. We also keep telling the political leaders that the success of the election is a collective duty.”
