Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State

By Paul Ohia, Charles Ajunwa in Lagos and Adibe Emenyonu  in Benin

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has assured voters in his state of adequate security in the elections starting Saturday even as he maintained that he prefers issue based campaigns to name calling engaged upon by his opponents in this season of elections.

“Yes, we’ve had our difficult times but the state is now safe for residents and those who wish to come home and vote for the candidates of their choice,” he said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Mr Ogochukwu Emezue.

Orji’s assurances came as Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, Tuesday met for hours with security agencies in the state to map out strategies to forestall political violence and ensure a smooth and peaceful atmosphere during this weekend’s elections into the National Assembly.

Ogunmola, who will be conducting his first election since he assumed office in Lagos, said there was no pressure on him from any quarters asking for one favour or the other. Instead, he said,  all the parties have asked him to provide them a level playing ground.

The meeting which took place at the INEC office in Yaba, was attended by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Custom Service, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force and Civil Defense Corps.

Meanwhile, two persons have been  killed and a 75-year-old woman abducted at  Inikorogha town, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, when unknown gunmen struck at the home of the Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Surveillance/Waterways Secu-rity, Mr. Don Okubo Robert.