By Olanrewaju Adesanya
APPREHENSIVE of the likelihood of breach of peace, law and order in the coming elections, traditional rulers in Lagos have advised the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to tighten security arrangements by deploying enough officers.
The traditional rulers made the appeal at the INEC interactive parley with traditional rulers on the commission’s preparation for the polls in Lagos, held at the state Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alausa with most of the royal majesties in attendance.
According to royal fathers, though the traditional institutions have commenced mobilizations and prayers for peaceful elections, security must be doubled to meet up with the challenge of whopping number of political parties and voters.
Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos and Chairman, Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers said that security was critical in electoral process as well as logistics for the distribution of electoral officers and materials.
Akiolu, who was represented by Oba Mohammed Adio, the Onisiwo of Tomoro and Abagbo land, Eti-Osa said that the royal fathers had been supporting the commission and would continue.
“We have worked enough to create the environment for people to really come out; we have done our best as royal fathers close to the grassroots; but this is not enough, we need security. Sometimes, it is amazing that police will say they are sending for instance 10, 000 policemen for over 4,000 polling units. If we have enough policemen, it will help in the conduct of peaceful elections.
“We need to look at the area of security. Sometimes, most crises are as a result of the late arrival of materials and personnel. We have been asking for the cooperation of our subjects and we will continue to do that. Lagos has been very peaceful state, we will maintain that and remain law abiding,’’ Akiolu said.
He added that number of security personnel must match the number of polling units and voting points, calling on the government to provide speed boats to access riverine communities and checkmate threats.
The traditional ruler, who frowned at late arrival of electoral officers and materials to polling units, said traditional institutions had been assisting in providing logistics especially at riverine areas.
Also speaking, the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka said: “As royal fathers, it is our duty to complement the effort of INEC and government of Nigeria during the election. However, INEC must work on mobility and security at polling units and wards.’’
Agbabaika urged the commission to engage traditional and local security outfits alongside the conventional security agencies, saying landlords and CDAs had been helping in past elections on logistics with their personal vehicles.
“INEC must make sure there is enough mobility from polling units to collation centres. INEC must use all forms of security-government and local, to ensure adequate protection of voters and their votes. In some polling units, you see policemen without arms, people will have no cause to fear. INEC official should be mixed-male and female.
“With the increase in the number of registered voters in Lagos, security should be double. With over 700, 000 voters in Alimosho and 400, 000 in Isolo, that means we have to double the number of security you are bringing,’’ Agbabiaka added.
Oba Ganiyu Aderibigbe, the Alayandelu of Ode Ayandelu added that INEC
had to beef up security, especially at riverine areas, saying hoodlum always concentrate on these areas to perpetrate their evil.
Aderibigbe said: “If security is no enough, there will be fear of coming out to vote. We need more security in Lagos because of its cosmopolitan city with different tribes.’’
The Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Alolu-Menu, Toyi I urged INEC to
prepare adequately and work hard on security, saying polling officers must ensure polling units were open at 8:00am.
Speaking, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi, who said that royal father were looking forward to witnessing peaceful elections, saying royal fathers were not politicians but concern about welfare of the people.
Shotobi, the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, who urged the commission to be accessible, said “All the traditional rulers here want peaceful election’’.
Other traditional rulers took turns to accentuate the need for more security to enhance peaceful elections.
In his remarks, Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, said that as custodians of traditional and moral values, the
commission needed support in mobilizing the electorate for peaceful and proper conduct.
Olumekun said that the task of delivering credible, peaceful, acceptable, free and fair elections should not be left in the hands of the electoral umpire alone, saying traditional rulers must be involved.
The INEC boss said: “As custodians of our moral values, the need for peaceful elections is absolutely necessary to consolidate and deepen democracy in the country.No matter how well elections are conducted, if the outcome is conflict-ridden and violent, it loses its essence of deepening democracy.
“The commission needs to collaborate with all stakeholders including
traditional institutions to ensure that peace reigns before, during and after elections.We cannot achieve a seamless and successful election without your cooperation. We solicit your unalloyed support and advice on every aspect of our operations.’’
Olumekun called on the royal fathers to get involved in the area of voter education, preaching against thuggery, violence, vote selling as well as curbing voter apathy.
In his remarks, Mr Waheed Ishola, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State said that parley with the royal majesty was necessary to ensure success of the poll and to ensure peace.
“We need the support of the royal Majesty to calm the people, appeal to their subjects and political gladiators, election are not do-or-die affairs. Please appeal to them to play the game according to rule. It is only when we have peace that Lagos can move forward.