INEC Chair to security agencies: We should strive to ensure Ondo is better than Edo

The Independent National Electoral Commission has asked security agencies to raise the standard of professionalism and election security during the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the charge on Thursday at the meeting of the Inter Agencies Consultative Committee on Election Security in Akure.

Yakubu noted that INEC and the security agencies had raised the bar of professionalism for peaceful election in Edo State and should not lower it in Ondo State.

He said: “Edo was a good election.

“We are all very proud of what we achieved.

“The security agencies were professional.

“So too were INEC staff.

“The challenge for us is not to lower the bar.

“Ondo should be better because there are lessons we have learned from the Edo election.

“We should strive to ensure Ondo is better than Edo, and that subsequent elections keep improving.

“That should be our commitment to the nation and to the electorate.

“Security is of critical concern to all of us.

“You know we can’t conduct free, fair and credible elections unless the environment is secure for us.”

He disclosed that part of the agenda of the meeting was to discuss on identified flash points, areas that could pose security threats and try to see how they could respond and said the committee would also consider areas identified to have difficult terrains and see how to manage movement of personnel and materials.

“There are two local governments that are essentially riverine: Ilaje and Ese-Odo.