Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, has issued an order restricting all kinds of motor movement on highways, canals, and other modes of transportation from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the 26 states conducting bye-elections on Saturday.
This excludes people performing necessary jobs such as Independent National Electoral Commission officials, election observers, accredited media, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters, among others.
The impacted states are Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, and Akwa Ibom.
Others include Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
In Lagos, a bye-election will be held in the Surelere 1 Federal Constituency after the appointment of former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who previously represented the constituency before becoming President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff.
The IG also prohibited any security aides of VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling stations and collation centers throughout the election.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the news in a statement on Thursday.
Adejobi said
“The Inspector General of Police, Okukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 am to 6 pm on election day in all states where elections will be conducted.
“With the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers both foreign and domestic, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc., during the upcoming 2024 run-off and bye-elections scheduled to take place across 26 states on Saturday, February 3, 2024.”
Adejobi added that state-established and owned security outfits and organisations, quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.
He added,
“The movement restrictions, including the ban on VIP aides, escorts, and state security outfits, are crucial measures aimed at preventing any undue interference or intimidation during the electoral process. The IG emphasizes that these restrictions are implemented to safeguard the integrity of the elections and guarantee equal participation for all citizens of the affected states.
“The IG urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and in accordance with the electoral laws, as any attempt to disrupt the electoral process or violate the established guidelines will be met with the full force of the law.”
Adejobi encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may undermine the electoral process to the appropriate authorities.
He quoted the IG as expressing the confidence that, through collective efforts, the upcoming run-off and bye-elections will be conducted peacefully, transparently, and in line with the principles of democracy.