Ahead of the Edo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, the first wave of 35,000 police officers deployed to maintain security has arrived in the state, according to reports from The PUNCH. The officers are part of a broader security arrangement aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly election process.
In addition to the police force, soldiers, officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have also been deployed to Edo. This joint security effort is designed to prevent any form of disruption and guarantee the safety of voters and electoral staff.
Seventeen political parties have presented candidates for the election. Among the leading contenders are Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
The Defence Headquarters confirmed the deployment of soldiers, stating that their presence is meant to create a secure environment for voters during the election.
Security patrols have already commenced as part of efforts to maintain law and order in the lead-up to the election. The authorities are determined to ensure a hitch-free process and have warned against any form of electoral violence or misconduct.
