We will not engage Amotekun in the conduct of LG poll – OYSIEC

Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), has declared that it will not engage the Western Nigerian Security Network (WNSN) also known as Amotekun in the conduct of the forthcoming election.

OYSIEC Chairman, Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), made this declaration on Thursday.

He spoke while featuring at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ chapel guest platform programme tagged “Speak Out”.

The commission has concluded plans to conduct the local government election in April next year.

Olagunju,, while speaking at the event held in Ibadan, noted that the commission will engage the police, army, DSS and NSCDC in the conduct of the election.

He however declared that the commission will not use Amotekun.

He said that the commission will not engage due to the fear by the people that they can be used to intimidate the people in the state.

Olagunju while speaking further explained that the commission will engage about 18,000 personnel to ensure that the election went as expected.

He added that the commission will screen the candidates of the political parties soon.

“In election management, the police is key in security matters. We have visited the police, the army, the DSS, and the NSCDS and the correctional service.

“We may not engage Amotekun to avoid the insinuation that they may be used to intimidate the people. We are going to engage the police, the army, DSS and NSCDC even the correctional centre.

“We have over 6,000 polling units now in Oyo state and we will have at least three people in a polling unit.

“So, we will have about 18,000 personnel. We will engage them and give them the necessary training.