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.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assembled a team of 97 lawyers to challenge what it describes as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ‘fake lawsuit’ against its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola.

The legal team, led by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, accusing the ruling APC of filing a suit using the names of individuals not members of the ADC.

This development follows a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja between Senator Mark, who is now the ADC’s Interim National Chairman, and the party’s Kogi State chapter.

At the meeting, Mark assured Nigerians that under his leadership, the ADC would operate with total transparency and would not favour any presidential aspirant.

“I don’t own this party more than any other member… All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC,” he said.

A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party and Board of Trustees member, Adamu Waziri, has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress.

Waziri announced his decision on Monday at his Dogo Tebo Ward in Potiskum, Yobe State.

He said the move was in line with the PDP constitution, which requires formal resignation at the ward level.

Explaining his decision, Waziri said the PDP no longer reflects the values of a credible opposition.

“I was a member of PDP, and due to the exigencies of the moment and in the interest of the nation, I have decided to resign,” he said.

He urged his followers to join him in supporting a new political movement that can strengthen democracy and ensure better governance.

Waziri described the decision as difficult but necessary, saying the current leadership of the PDP has lost its way.

In response, PDP Ward Chairman Malam Muhammad Bomai, who represented the local leadership, accepted Waziri’s resignation with regret, calling him a pillar of the party.

“Waziri has been an institution within the PDP, and we will feel his absence deeply,” he said.

Bomai also announced his resignation from the PDP and immediate defection to ADC, saying he shares Waziri’s vision for a better Nigeria.