Police to oversee governorship elections in Akwa Ibom
To forestall any uprising that may arise during the
gubernatorial elections, the Inspector General (IG) of Police is to
oversee the polls on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State.
The State Commissioner of Police (CP), Felix Uyanna,
said yesterday in Uyo, that the top police officer, Hafiz Ringim or a
deputy Inspector General was expected in the state for the April 26
elections.
He noted that the presence of the IG or his deputy
in the state was one of the measures taken by the police hierarchy to
ensure that there was a level-playing ground for all political parties
during the elections.
In accepting the apology of the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in the state, John Akpanudoedehe
on allegations levelled by the ACN that the CP was partisan and that he
be removed, Mr Uyanna mentioned to the ACN governorship flagbearer that
he was free to lay his complaints to the IG or the deputy IG when he
arrived, if he felt the CP was not doing well.
“I want to assure you that in the forthcoming
elections, there will be fair play and justice. I assure you that on
May 26, either the IG or the deputy IG of Police will be here.
“All these things are in an effort to ensure a
level-playing ground. If you feel I am not doing well, you can walk up
to him and lay your complaints,” he said.
Mr. Akpanudoedehe who noted that the electorate
would need to be safe to cast their votes on Tuesday, appealed to the
CP to caution his men against intimidating people at the polling
centres.
He called for a restoration of relationship between
the police and the ACN which he said was lost during the tenure of the
erstwhile CP, Walter Rugbere.
“We are here to ask for a free and fair election.
People need that confidence in the police to go out without being
intimidated by government officials. Our vote must count to bring about
peace and security to this place. We plead with you to guarantee our
security and our votes.
“Let Akwa Ibom people not listen to any speculation that I have
withdrawn from the race. How can a winning governor withdraw?” he asked.
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