*SSS summons 500 in Ogun; identifies 18 LGs as troubled spot in Ondo

BY ADELEKE ADESERI, DAYO JOHNSON & OLASUNKANMI AKONI

Security operatives in states of the South West have stepped up their activities to forestall the threat of violence as a result of today’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the region.

The latest strategy of the State Security Service, SSS, for instance, is to compile a list of party supporters they consider to be capable of causing trouble and make them sign undertaking to be of good behaviour. They also identify local government areas they consider to be trouble prone for special attention

In Ogun state, for instance,  500 supporters from across party lines were yesterday summoned to the Oke Mosan office of the SSS where they were made to endorse a document saying they will play by the rules during today’s elections

Also in Ondo state, 18 local government council areas have been identified as troubled prone in today’s House of Assembly election by security agencies in the state.

The council areas include Ese Odo, Irele, Odigbo, Ose and Akoko South West.

Addressing newsmen after an emergency Security Council meeting ahead of today’s election, the Police Commissioner Joseph Ibi said more security operatives have been deployed to the areas to prevent break down of law and order.

Ibi said that the restriction of movement is still in force adding that the security operatives are battle ready to nip any eventuality that may arise from the elections in the bud.

The Police commissioner was accompanied by other heads of the SSS, Army, Navy, Immigration, Customs, Prison and NDLEA.

The Police Commissioner warned that the security operatives would be hard on trouble makers in today’s election.

Meantime, to ensure that today’s governorship, state House of Assembly and rescheduled House of Representatives polls go smoothly, the Lagos State police command has deployed at least 30,000 security personnel to the 8,400 polling stations across the state.

According to Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Abba: “ Lagos state said security has been beefed up across the state, especially at identified hot spots.”

Abba said a security meeting had earlier been held to strategize and perfect plans on how best to ensure security of life and properties as well as ensure violence free atmosphere throughout the conduct of the election.

He added that the police would be working in conjunction with the armed forces, the army, the navy and the airforce on standby in case of any eventuality.

‘There are many areas where we need to watch out so I call on good people of Lagos State to come out confidently and cast their votes for parties or candidates of their choice

Also commenting on security arrangement, Action Congress of Nigeria, Public Secretary, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, expressed confidence in the fact that the atmosphere would be violence free except desperate politicians attempt to rig the election.

Igbokwe however, urged Lagos residents to respect the dos and don’ts according to Section 29 of the Electoral Act warning that the security personnel would be all out to arrest and prosecute offenders.

He said: “Tuesday April 26 2011, (Today) is Super Tuesday for Fashola and ACN in Lagos. Given unprecedented achievements of the governor in the past four years, the world knows that it is a walk-away victory for the man of the moment. We see him coasting home to victory with 99 percent victory, hence no cause for any ACN supporter to ferment trouble.

“On the issue of the security Lagos remains the most secured state in Nigeria and we intend to keep the tradition alive. But trouble will come if the so called PDP rigging machines as earlier alleged come to Lagos.

“In the event of that, I can assure you that nobody including the police, army or what have you can guarantee security.”

Igbokwe , warned that ACN rivals should maintain the peace and respect the rules of the game to the latter and also abstain from any action that could cause a breach of the existing peace in Lagos.

 …As Nasarawa voters allege threat to life

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

Barely 24 hours to commencement of voting in the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in Nasarawa State, there are allegations of threats to lives of the electorate in some parts of the state as a result of their political affiliation.

This has, therefore, resulted in many of them fleeing their homes to stay away until the governorship and State Assembly elections were over.

Towards this end, not less than seven workers of Agwada Development Area office in Kokona local government area, where election skirmishes were witnessed in the National Assembly polls, have alleged political victimization, with the council suspending them for absenteeism.

This was even as eight traditional rulers of Panda Development Area of Karu local government area have been denied their March salaries in what they  alleged as victimization because they allegedly allowed their subjects free will during the past two elections.

Some voters in Agwada told Vanguard that scores of people from their community had already left, claiming they were being threatened by traditional rulers who are insisting on a particular voting pattern from them.

The electorate, mostly from Kana, Kufan Gwari, Yelwa and other Afo tribal settlements, claimed that Afo chiefs were not going to allow them a free hand in governorship election as they were allegedly working to deliver a particular candidate.