Ahead of tomorrow’s governorship election in Edo State, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59pm today to 6pm tomorrow.

The IGP said the restriction was to prevent circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs. He also said the restriction was to checkmate movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally-minded individuals, especially from contiguous states from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes.

Adamu, in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, said: “In line with concerted efforts at ensuring public order and safety, during the Edo governorship election tomorrow, the IGP has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59pm to 6pm tomorrow.

“IGP notes that the restriction order is informed by the need to prevent free flow, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally-minded individuals, especially from contiguous states from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes.

“He enjoins citizens to go out en-masse on the day of the election and vote, noting that the police and other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilised to provide a safe, secure and conducive environment for the election.

“While regretting any inconveniences the restriction order may cause citizens, IGP enjoins the citizens to see the restriction as part of necessary sacrifices towards the enthronement of democracy.

He, however, warns that the Force would not sit idly-by and watch citizens who may want to engage in any criminal act – violent and destructive acts, snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying, vote selling, hate speeches, and other act(s) capable of compromising the electoral processes.”

Meanwhile, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, began distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local government areas of the state ahead of the governorship election.

Addressing journalists at the premises of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Benin, Mr Timidi Wariowei, INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Edo, said the distribution commenced with the farthest local government areas.

“So far, we have loaded about 11 local government. We started from Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central, Owan East and Owan West among others.

“Some have gone and others are completely loaded and are sorting out their security escort and very soon, materials will move to the local governments.

“From the local government, the materials will move to registration areas centres (RACs) and from the RACs, they will move to the polling units and voting points tomorrow morning.

“As you can see, we are fully ready for the election. This is the high point of our preparation, that is moving the materials from  CBN to local government areas,” he said

Sun