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The police, soldiers and other security agencies on Thursday engaged in a ‘show of force’ ahead of the governorship election holding across Ondo State on Saturday.

Armed policemen, soldiers and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps mounted armoured personnel carriers and vans, as they patrolled Akure and other towns in the state to warn hoodlums and those who might want to cause violence during the poll.

Our correspondent observed that dozens of security patrol vans mounted by soldiers moved through some major streets blaring siren as they moved along the roads.

There have been clashes during electioneering and many believe that there will be violence on Saturday if hoodlums reportedly engaged by certain persons are not cleared off the streets.

Election observer groups have also warned that if the pre-election security threats are not neutralised before the poll, there may be violence which will affect the turn out of voters.

The  Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the election, Mr Leye Oyebade, had, however, assured that security agencies would not allow anybody to disrupt the election or cause violence anywhere in the state

Three days before the governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress in the state has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of planning to rig the poll.

The ruling party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaiye, alleged that the PDP was planning something criminal to be unveiled during election.

According to the statement, the rigging plan was allegedly mastermind by Governor of Oyo State,  Seyi Makinde, who the APC alleged to have  recruited thousands of members of the PDP in Oyo State for the purpose of participating in the election.

It reads partly, “The members of the Oyo State chapter of the PDP, with their voters cards are to vote in Ondo election, with the connivance of some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The essence is to increase the PDP votes through the criminal angle.

“While many of these ‘imported voters’ are already scattered in different local government areas of the state, more are expected on Friday. “

But the spokesperson for the Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation, Mr Gbenga Akinmoyo, alleged that it was the APC that imported thugs from Ekiti State to disrupt the election on Saturday.

Akinmoyo said, “Hoodlums are currently being loaded into commercial vehicles from Ado Ekiti motor parks as we speak. Security agencies should be vigilant and monitor vehicular movements into Ondo State.

“This same activity has been happening with influxes from Kogi State and our organisation has given incessant notices on this. Let the security agencies be on top of their game please.”