April 11: Don't Escort Any Politician To The Polling Boot - IGP

As the April 11 governorship elections gather momentum, The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has warned that armed police escort must not be seen escorting politicians to polling units during  Saturday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly elections, adding that erring policemen would be arrested and made to face  disciplinary action.

The IGP also warned all security details attached to political office holders to desist from accompanying their principals to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, who is  the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in a statement on Tuesday, said the police chief stated that only police personnel specifically assigned for election duties must be seen within and around the election designated places.

 He said the IGP, however, commended police personnel and other law enforcement agents that participated in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections, for the unparalleled professionalism displayed during the exercise.

The statement read: “The IGP believes that virtues of selflessness and dedication to duty contributed in no small measure to the overall success of the widely acclaimed free and fair election.

“The IGP is particularly pleased with the  level of comportment, discipline, orderliness, patience and understanding exhibited by the citizens throughout the period of the elections. Of special interest to the IGP is the huge assistance extended to the police and other law enforcement agents by the citizens, which made the elections hitch-free.

The IGP, however,  “calls for a similar level of citizens’ cooperation and support for the police and other relevant agents in the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections on April 11.”

He enjoined citizens to remain calm, confident, hopeful and trusting in the ability of the police and other relevant agencies to discharge their constitutional mandate of ensuring the safety of lives and property and in protecting the democratic rights and freedom of the citizens.

“He pledge the preparedness of the police  to consolidate and re-enact the last election security success story in other future elections.