The Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, Mrs. Ayotunde Phillips, has said the commission will no longer fold its arms and watch political thugs disrupt the electoral process in the state.

She spoke on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the commission at the City Hall, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Phillips condemned the desperate attitude of some politicians in the state who sought to get into public office at all cost.

She said, “LASEIC cannot fold its arms and be seemingly helpless as hoodlums and political thugs make a mockery of its efforts at entrenching a sound democratic culture and sustainable electoral process at the local government level of the state.

“Effective collaboration between the commission and the various arms of the security agencies in the state is imperative in view of the ‘do-or-die’ mentality of the average Nigerian politician who believes he must win at all costs.”

Phillips appealed to security personnel to be professional while managing security issues before, during and after elections.

She urged all security personnel engaged for the election to be firm and decisive, adding that unnecessary use of force could aggravate tension and insecurity among the people.

 “Security personnel must avoid the temptation of dabbling into issues that do not concern them and must refrain from fraternising with politicians and agents of political parties during the forthcoming election into the 20 local government councils and 37 local council development areas of Lagos State,” she said.