Politics
Lagos LG Poll: Police Impose Traffic Restrictions, Increase Security
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered massive deployment of personnel across the state ahead of the local government elections on Saturday.
Jimoh disclosed this in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said the deployment was to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
The commissioner also announced restrictions on vehicular movements between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
“Elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections.
“The command with other security and safety agencies is working together under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The restriction of vehicular movements will apply to all roads and waterways within the state jurisdiction,” he said.
He added that police escorts and armed security aides were strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centres.
The measure was to prevent any undue influence or intimidation during the election.
“Police escorts, covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centres are prohibited,” he said.
Jimoh said that only vehicles designated for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vehicles operated by security agencies in the ICCES, would be permitted to operate during the restriction period.
The commissioner added, “All other vehicles, including those belonging to any quasi-security outfit and state security agencies, are barred from movement, as no state-owned security agency is authorised to participate in the election security operations, in line with the electoral act.
“The movement restriction will not apply to essential services such as those on medical emergencies and other emergency responders and their workers, the duly accredited officials of the LASIEC and accredited election observers and media practitioners on election coverage accredited by LASIEC.
“These categories of groups and individuals are permitted to carry out their lawful duties during the election period, provided they adhere to all the relevant guidelines and regulations in the Electoral Act.”
He said that all the security agencies personnel and other stakeholders, including the media and election observers accredited by LASEIC for the election, would have and wear their identification tags certified by LASEIC throughout the period of the election.
“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election.
Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act,” he said.
NAN
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed it will soon release a revised timetable and schedule of activities for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections to ensure full alignment with the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026.
The announcement comes after INEC initially set the presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027, and the governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls for Saturday, March 6, 2027, in a notice released on February 13, 2026.
Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated that the commission is reviewing the new Act and will publish a “revised timetable” accordingly.
This follows legislative amendments, including a reduction in the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days under revised Clause 28 of the Act, granting INEC greater flexibility in scheduling to avoid potential conflicts, such as overlaps with religious observances like Ramadan in 2027.
Political party leaders and stakeholders have pushed for the review, emphasizing the need for compliance with the updated legal framework. INEC has also debunked circulating false claims about an official timetable release, reiterating that the authentic schedule will be issued in due course and in strict adherence to constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act.
The forthcoming timetable is expected to detail critical milestones, including party primaries, campaign periods, voter registration updates, and ongoing nationwide voter revalidation efforts aimed at enhancing electoral integrity ahead of the polls.
INEC assured Nigerians that preparations for the 2027 elections are progressing steadily, with the revised timetable set to provide clarity and guide all stakeholders.
Politics
Wike Launches FCT Area Council Poll Monitoring at Lagos Crescent, Garki 2, Urges Traders to Ensure Compliance
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday began monitoring of the ongoing FCT Area Council elections at Lagos Crescent, Garki, where he urged traders and residents to comply with electoral guidelines to ensure a smooth process.
Addressing stakeholders in the area, the minister stressed the need for orderliness and full adherence to directives issued for the conduct of the polls.
Wike thereafter visited other polling units across Abuja to assess the level of preparedness and compliance.
He called on residents to come out en masse to exercise their franchise, assuring them of adequate security and a transparent electoral process.
*The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its operatives across all six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to monitor today’s local government elections and safeguard electoral integrity.
The deployment aims to curb voter inducement, vote-buying, and other forms of electoral malpractice during the polls organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement released on Saturday, the EFCC emphasized its commitment to ensuring a transparent and credible process. Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, directed operatives to maintain strict surveillance across all council areas and take decisive action against any attempts to compromise the election through financial inducements or corrupt practices.
“Our officers are fully mobilized and actively patrolling polling units and surrounding areas in the FCT,” the statement noted. “The EFCC remains resolute in protecting the electoral process to promote transparency, accountability, and free expression of the people’s will.
“The six Area Councils — Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji — are holding chairmanship and councillorship elections today, marking a key local governance exercise in the nation’s capital.
The EFCC’s involvement aligns with broader efforts by anti-corruption agencies and security forces to deter vote-selling and ensure that the elections reflect genuine voter preferences rather than financial influence.
As voting continues, the Commission has urged the public to report any suspicious activities involving money-for-votes schemes, promising swift intervention where necessary.
No major incidents involving EFCC operatives have been reported so far, according to initial updates from various sources covering the polls.
INEC to Unveil Revised Timetable for 2027 General Elections Amid Electoral Act Updates
Wike Launches FCT Area Council Poll Monitoring at Lagos Crescent, Garki 2, Urges Traders to Ensure Compliance
EFCC Deploys Operatives to Monitor FCT Area Council Elections, Targets Vote-Buying
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