As tension mounts for tomorrow's Rivers re-run election IGP seeks military assistance

Ahead of tomorrow’s parliamentary seats rerun elections in Rivers State, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday pleaded with the military and other security agencies to collaborate with the Police to ensure a violence-free polls. This came as All Progressives Congress, APC, urged members and loyalists to resist any act of violence from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, just as Governor Nyesom Wike told the Inspector General of Police , IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris that his life had been in danger since the sudden withdrawal of his Chief Security Officer, CSO, by the Police hierarchy.

The IGP made the call while addressing security personnel in Rivers state and called for synergy to strengthen security operations to forestall outbreak of violence, warning trouble makers to steer clear of areas where elections would be taking place. He said: “We are here to show the seriousness attached to this assignment. We have been having series of rerun elections in this state, but by the grace of Allah this will be the last. We are demonstrating the need and requirement to act together to ensure that adequate security is provided from the beginning of the process to the end. All police officers and the sister agencies should collaborate in this operation. The Navy, the Air Force, the Civil Defence, the Army, please let us work together. This is not the first time we are conducting election, but elections in River State are always with challenges, but this time we will get it right.

IGP-Idris

 This election is important so we are coming with enough re-enforcement. We are coming out to help the Rivers State Police Command. We have to dominate the waterways. We are re-enforcing 28 gunboats, 28 more Armoured Personnel Carriers, 20 dogs to be at the polling units and the INEC officers. We have deployed 26 units of Mobile Policemen. We will redeploy medical teams on the streets in case of those who have health problems.



 Most of the gunboats will be brought from neighbouring states.” The gunboats will be manned by Mobile Policemen and Marine police.” Responding, the Commander 2 Brigade Command, Port Harcourt, Brig. Gen. Hamisu Hassan, assured that other security outfits would work with the Police, saying: “This election has been key to the security agencies in the state. We have mapped out plans and in a forum tested them. We have had meetings in preparation for the election. In Rivers State, we have carried out joint operations and training. We have conducted joint show of force. I assure you that the security is ready to partner the police in this election. APC mega rally Meanwhile, six APC governors and other leaders of the party including Ondo State governor-elect, yesterday, stormed Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to woo electorate to vote for the party in tomorrow’s rerun elections for legislative seats. The governors at the rally were Chairman of the National Campaign committee for Rivers rerun legislative elections and governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, Bauchi State governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, Benue State, governor Samuel Ortom, Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and the governor-elect of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN. Among other leaders of the party at the mega rally were the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Minister of Transportation and former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed. Addressing party loyalists at the mega rally, Chairman of the National Campaign Committee for Rivers rerun legislative elections, Alhaji Ganduje said the party was prepared to deliver its candidates in the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats in the elections. He charged members of the party to resist any act of violence from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state. “If they slap you slap them. If they shoot you take cover and shoot them. “, he said. Continuing, he said the APC was a peaceful party and determined to wipe out corruption in the country. “Our party believes in peace and stability. Everybody knows that peace and stability are lacking in Rivers state.
         Our party believes in eradication of corruption. If you don’t believe in corruption , you must vote your Senators, House of Representatives candidates and the House of Assembly who will apply break on the governor of the state ,“ he said. In the mean time, Governor Wike, while lamenting the withdrawal of his CSO, when the IGP, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, said the withdrawal of his CSO had exposed him to all manner of insecurity. The governor also called on the IGP to redeploy an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the state’s Police Command, Mr Steven Hasso and the Commander , Special Anti Robbery squad, SARS, Mr Akin Fakorede, for alleged unprofessional conducts.
Source; Vanguard