The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Okukayode Egbetokun, has announced a curfew in 26 states where run-off and bye-elections will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, the curfew will last from 12 am to 6 pm on election day and will affect all forms of transportation on roads, waterways, and other means.
The statement said the curfew was necessary to ensure the security and integrity of the electoral process and to prevent any form of intimidation or interference by unauthorized persons.
The statement added that only those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers, ambulances, firefighters, and others will be exempted from the curfew.
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The IG also banned all security aides, escorts, and state security outfits from accompanying VIPs and politicians to the polling units and collation centres during the election.
He warned that any violation of the electoral laws or guidelines will be dealt with according to the law.
He urged all political parties, candidates, and supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful and responsible manner and to report any suspicious activities or incidents to the relevant authorities.
He expressed his confidence that the elections will be free, fair, and credible, and that the people of the affected states will exercise their franchise without fear or favour.
The states where the elections will take place are Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
In Lagos, the bye-election will fill the vacant seat of Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, which was formerly occupied by Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the Chief of Staff to Bola Tinubu.