THE Police Command in Oyo State has assured residents of adequate protection of their lives and property during the forthcoming local government council elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council poll has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 22.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday in Ibadan.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) had met with heads of security agencies as part of the preparation for the election.

Onadeko maintained that the police and other security agents would partner OYSIEC to ensure a violence-free poll across the 33 local government areas of the state.

She, however, warned politicians against the use of thugs to disrupt the poll, urging them to rather play the game according to the rules.

“We are going to make the election fair, safe, and secure, and we enjoin everybody to shun political violence.

“On election day, people should come out to cast their votes gently and return to their respective homes.

“You don’t win the election through violence, so we will secure lives and property before, during, and after the election,” Onadeko stated.

On his part, the chairman of OYSIEC, Alhaji Isiaka Olagunju, said the meeting with the heads of the security agencies was to strategize on how to provide security during the May 22 local council poll.

Olagunju disclosed that 17 political parties had shown commitment to participate in the election.

He said all necessary processes for the conduct of the poll were at the advanced stage.

The OYSIEC chairman reiterated the commission’s determination to conduct a credible poll and urged eligible voters to come out to exercise their franchise on the election day. (NAN)

– MAY 05, 2021 @ 17:49 GMT