The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured journalists of unrestricted access and enhanced security measures for voters and personnel in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this announcement during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said: “It is now 51 days to the Edo State Governorship election coming up on Saturday 21st September 2024. Our preparations are going on in earnest… I am glad to report that we have recovered from the torrential rainfall that resulted in the severe flooding of our State Headquarters in Benin City two months ago.”
Yakubu expressed concern over a recent incident in Edo State that resulted in the death of a security personnel, but noted that no further incidents have occurred since then.
He added: “Nevertheless, the commission will meet with the security agencies as early as Friday this week under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security… I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue for discussion at the meeting… We are as concerned about the safety of your personnel and equipment just as we are about the security of our officials, observers, service providers, and, above all, the voters. We will also work with the security agencies to ensure that accredited journalists are granted unimpeded access to all voting and collation locations.”
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, affirmed the media’s commitment to aiding INEC in preserving electoral integrity.
He said: “The media would continue to work with INEC to promote a transparent and accountable democratic process that accurately represents the people’s will… The partnership between INEC and the media is important as Nigeria approaches the off-season gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo.”
