The Independent National Electoral Commission says it has received some early ‘warning signals’ ahead of the party primaries in Edo and Ondo states.
INEC has scheduled the governorship elections in the two states for 19th September 19 and October 10, 2020, respectively.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the warning on Friday during the opening of the first virtual meeting with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
Yakubu, however, enjoined security agencies to take urgent and proactive steps to arrest such danger signals.
The INEC chairman said party primaries for the nomination of candidates for the Edo governorship election have commenced, adding that 15 out of the 18 registered political parties had already invited the commission to monitor their primaries.
He added that the process for Ondo state is scheduled for 2nd to 25th July 2020.
The INEC boss said, “As you are aware, the conduct of primaries by political parties tends to be very acrimonious. The acrimony is carried forward into the electioneering campaigns and Election Day activities.
“Already, there are warning signals. The security agencies need to act proactively.
“An early engagement with political parties and aspirants is necessary in order to create the atmosphere for peaceful primaries and consequently peaceful elections.”