Esther Nelson , Yenagoa
The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, has assured residents of coordinated security arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adewale gave the assurance on Monday during an Election Stakeholders’ Forum convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Yenagoa.
The forum, held at the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu Media Centre, brought together the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of the Department of State Services, representatives of political parties, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency and other stakeholders to discuss preparations for the polls.
Speaking at the forum, the REC disclosed that over 52,000 Permanent Voter Cards had been issued in the first batch, with more to be distributed in subsequent batches.
Responding to concerns on security, Adewale, who chairs the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Bayelsa State, said the Police Command would continue to work with INEC and sister security agencies to identify potential threats, share intelligence and coordinate security deployment across the state, including riverine communities.
He said personnel assigned to election duties would be properly briefed and expected to act with discipline, restraint and impartiality.
The CP stressed that the police would protect voters, election officials and the electoral process without favouring any political party or candidate.
He urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence and intimidation, and called on community leaders to promptly report emerging tensions.
Adewale reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained collaboration with INEC and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment where eligible voters can exercise their franchise without fear.
