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.
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Violence erupted on Saturday in Lagos during the planned declaration of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s former governorship candidate, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Suspected thugs, allegedly backed by security operatives, disrupted the event, attacking supporters and injuring Rhodes-Vivour’s personal photographer and aid.
Eyewitnesses report that police, accompanied by armed groups, blocked access to the planned venue for Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s ADC declaration, despite prior payment.
Rhodes-Vivour was reportedly informed that the order came “from above,” directing him to seek resolution with the Police Commissioner.
The area was heavily militarized overnight, with soldiers and DSS operatives joining the police to restrict movement.
The actions against Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s planned ADC declaration have ignited outrage among his supporters, who perceive the incident as a deliberate attempt to thwart his move.
Sources indicate that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, was expected to attend the event.
The disruption follows reports of violence against ADC supporters in various locations across the country.
Watch the moment Rhodes Vivour’s aid was beaten as police, thugs frustrate ADC declaration:
Politics
INEC Registers 171 New parties seeking to govern Nigeria
The commission urged applicants to be patient and avoid practices that could delay their approval.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered 171 new political parties.
In a statement on Thursday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said that since the last update, 19 more letters of intent have been received, bringing the total to 171 as of September 3, 2025.
“Details of the latest submissions are available on our website,” the updated list has been published on the commission’s website and other official platforms,“ Olumekun said.
He added that a review committee set up by the commission had completed its assessment of the applications and submitted recommendations for final consideration.
“As earlier announced, a shortlist of pre-qualified associations is being finalised for the next stage of the registration process,” he said.
The commission urged applicants to be patient and avoid practices that could delay their approval.
“We appeal to associations to remain patient as we conclude the process.
Frequent changes to logos, acronyms, and addresses, or multiple applications by one association, only cause delays.
In some cases, interim leaders have defected to other associations or existing parties, further slowing the process,” Olumekun warned.
Politics
Fubara To Resume Sept 18 as Puppet Governor
A source at the Presidential Villa in Abuja told journalists that Fubara was required to relinquish control over all governance structures as a precondition for reinstatement.
Siminalayi Fubara is expected to return as governor of Rivers State on September 18, marking the end of the six-month state of emergency imposed by President of Bola Tinubu on the state on March 18.
A source at the Presidential Villa in Abuja told journalists that Fubara was required to relinquish control over all governance structures as a precondition for reinstatement.
“He will not control the local government and the Rivers State House of Assembly. This is to ensure that peace reigns,” the source said.
“On his return, he will be handed the list of commissioners, which he will pass on to the House of Assembly for approval.”
The source furthermore disclosed that key appointments, project priorities, capital projects and major expenditures will be decided from Abuja.
This move is intended to prevent clashes between Fubara and lawmakers, the source said, noting that “Wike will take all the bullets” for the governor.
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