Addressing reporters on Thursday in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, the electoral body’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed for the conduct of the by-election, Nasiru Ayilara, said that the commission was ready with all the materials required for a successful conduct of the election, but had to abide by the instructions from the security operatives to avert any possible breach of peace.
At the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were party agents, collation and returning officers, representatives of the National Youth Service Corps, INEC and all relevant security operatives.
They had gathered for the inspection and onward distribution of the sensitive materials required for the by-election slated for April 9.
The position became vacant following the demise of the PDP member, Honourable Oladejo Makinde, representing the constituency on December 27, 2015.
After the inspection, the REC told the party agents that the materials would no longer be moved in compliance with the directive of security operatives.
After the announcement, an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sunday Adewole, told Channels Television that the decision was okay by the party, but the agent of the All Progressives Congress, Rasaki Adeosun, had a different view.
While giving the assurance that the 817 ad-hoc staff of INEC would be given adequate security, Mr Ayilara explained that there would be restriction of movement between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm local time in the local government.
With this assurance, the 62,393 electorates expected to partake in the Ife Central State Constituency by-election can only hope that the exercise is conducted peacefully.
The by-election will take place in 168 polling units of 11 wards.
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