Ondo Election: Play By The Rules, NSCDC Urges Parties

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo state, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) has urged stakeholders to play by the rules.

The Deputy Commandant of Operation Hilary Kelechi Madu made the call on Friday in Akure, the capital.

Twenty-eight political parties will be contesting the governorship poll, and Madu wants all party faithful to shun acts capable of causing violence.

“We do not care about any political party but most importantly, we should do the right thing and allow peace to reign during and after the election.

“People should eschew violence and not take laws into their hands by killing themselves for somebody to become a leader.

“We will work with other security agencies to ensure smooth and peaceful election,” he said.

“NSCDC is ready for the election, we have been interacting with other security agencies to have free, fair and credible election,’’ he said.

How will the NSCDC maintain law and order?

Madu said that about 25 special bred sniper dogs and Improvised Electronic Devices (IEDs) would be deployed for narcotics detection during the election.

He said that 10 commandants from neighbouring states and headquarters would be monitoring the three senatorial districts of the state.

“We told you few days ago that 15,000 personnel will be on ground for smooth conduct of the election.

“Also, 50 officers from headquarters are on ground to complement our personnel,” he said.

The deputy commandant said that the purpose of deploying  men was not to militarise the polling units but to check excesses before and during the polls.

Madu reiterated the corps’ commitment toward the election, saying that three to four of its personnel would man each of the 3,009 polling units across the state.