September 19 and October 10 have been scheduled for gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states respectively but the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has accused politicians in both states of employing thugs.
In light of that, he has urged the commissioners in both states to beef up security ahead of the polls.
Security reports have it that politicians in both states are planning to foment trouble on the day of the elections and as such are arming thugs in order to rig the process. Both major political parties in both states have denied having anything to do with thugs and encouraging violence. They have also traded blame.
However, the IG has said that the directive to beef security follows the election security threat assessment reports submitted by the Commissioners of Police in both Edo and Ondo states.
“The election security threat analysis reveals amongst other indicators, arming and movement of political thugs, use of inciting statements during political campaigns, high likelihood of violence and possible cross attack by political opponents, misinformation/disinformation aimed at heating-up of the polity and deliberate efforts at delegitimising government institutions involved in the electoral processes,” he said.
