The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anambra State governorship election, Abayomi Shogunle, has assured that the police and other security agencies were fully prepared for Saturday’s poll, emphasising that the massive deployment of security personnel across the state was intended to boost voter confidence and ensure a peaceful exercise.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday evening, just three days after his deployment to the state, CP Shogunle said detailed planning for the off-cycle election began months ago to guarantee a seamless and secure process.
“I’ve only been in Anambra State for three days, but the actual fact is that in addition to being the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election in Anambra State, I am also the Commissioner of Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation for the whole federation,” he explained.
“We started preparations for this election as far back as March this year, knowing fully well that it’s an off-cycle election.”
The police chief recalled that he had previously visited Anambra State in August for a by-election, describing it as a “litmus test” for the upcoming governorship contest.
He noted that insights from that exercise informed the current security measures.
“We are fully prepared to have this election tomorrow,” he said.
“Regarding the high feasibility of security presence that has been observed, massive deployment has already been done. For those elements trying to disrupt the election where they are occupying, security forces — including the Nigerian Police and other sister agencies — have taken over all those spaces.”
CP Shogunle urged residents to interpret the visible security presence as a positive assurance of safety, rather than intimidation, and to come out en masse to exercise their civic rights.
“I want to tell everyone in Anambra to see the massive deployment as a sign of confidence for them to come out massively to cast their votes without any fear of molestation,” he added.
He disclosed that Anambra has about 5,000 polling units, and in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission’S (INEC) directive, each unit will be manned by at least three uniformed personnel.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to maintaining law and order throughout the election period, assuring that identified flashpoints had been adequately secured.
