By Stephen Simon
The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, vigilante groups, hunters and other local security outfits from participating in security operations for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The directive comes just days before the August 15 poll, with the police taking responsibility for coordinating security arrangements aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly election across the state.
The decision effectively excludes several community-based security organisations that have operated across Osun and other South-West states from taking part in the official security arrangements for the election. Such groups have traditionally provided intelligence and other forms of support to conventional security agencies in their areas of operation.
The police position comes amid heightened attention to security preparations for the election, with political parties and stakeholders urging security agencies to maintain neutrality and prevent violence, intimidation and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The Osun election is expected to attract significant political interest as the incumbent administration and opposition parties intensify their campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the poll. The Independent National Electoral Commission has also continued preparations for the election, which will determine the next governor of the state.
The exclusion of Amotekun and other local security outfits is likely to generate further discussion among stakeholders, particularly over the role of community-based security structures during elections. While supporters of such groups argue that their knowledge of local communities can assist conventional security agencies, concerns have also been raised in the past about the neutrality and political affiliations of some local security networks.
The police have nevertheless maintained that election security must remain under the control of officially recognised security agencies to ensure professionalism, neutrality and accountability. The directive is expected to be enforced throughout the voting, collation and other stages of the electoral process.
With voters expected to go to the polls on Saturday, security remains one of the major issues surrounding the Osun election. The ability of security agencies to protect voters, electoral officials and election materials while maintaining political neutrality will be crucial to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the exercise..
