Usman Baba Alkali, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has ordered the deployment of 400 police officers from Kogi, Ondo, Kwara and Osun Command to support the Ekiti State Police Command ahead of tomorrow’s primary governorship election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As stated in a confidential document FIJ obtained, those deployed include a team leader not below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police and 10 Superintendents of Police.

FIJ confirmed that the police officers arrived at the Ekiti State Police Headquarters before the close of work on Tuesday. FIJ also learned that the Nigeria Police Headquarters will not bear the financial burden of the deployment.

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“You are to liaise with the commissioner of Ekiti State command for requirements to support transportation and other logistics/welfare of all personnel to be deployed for the operation,” the internal directive noted.

The ruling party’s direct primaries, which will be held on January 27, will be keenly contested because of the caliber of aspirants. They are Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, a member of the National Assembly; Dayo Adeyeye, a former Minister of Works; Femi Bamisile, House of Representatives member; and Biodun Oyebanji, a former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government. 

Others are Bamidele Faparusi, a former House of Representatives member; Kayode Ojo; Olusola Afolabi; and Demola Popoola, an aviation expert.

It was rumoured that the outgoing Governor Kayode Fayemi has an anointed aspirant, but he denied it.