…Says FG unaware of any sit-at-home
…Puts six helicopters in order for surveillance
BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Alkali has assured the voting public of Anambra State that the Federal Government has no plans to militarize the November 6 gubernatorial election, even in the height of insecurity ravaging the country.
Represented by CSP Muyiwa Adejobi at a one-day Forum on “Inclusive Election in Anambra State and Beyond” Wednesday in Abuja, the IGP said the FG was not aware of any sit-at-home in any part of the country.
He said that no individual or group of individuals has a right to declare curfew in any part of the country without the statutory powers to do so.
He said, “I know you know that Nigeria is a sovreign state that is governed by laws. No individual or group of individuals, otherwise has the right to declare a curfew or sit-at-home in any part of this country. Nigeria is a sovreignty, a nation and we know such a thing will not be tolerated anywhere in the country.
“We are not aware of any sit-at-home anywhere in the country. We are working with the INEC to make sure we have Anambra guber election come November 6 as scheduled.”
The police boss emphasised that his men and other security agencies were aware of the security challenges in the country but maintained that they were on top of the matter.
He added that the various security agencies both in Abuja and Anambra State were meeting regularly to ensure that the desired security was put in place for the election.
IGP Alkali stated that the police was ready for the election and pointed out that they were waiting for the Standard Operative Procedure, which according to him was to assign operations which entailed analysis and necessary inputs.
“Like I said, we are ready for the election. We have made efforts to deploy both human and material resources to support INEC to make sure we have a credible, transparent, free and acceptable election in Anambra State.
“We are repairing six helicopters to support the ones we have for operations in Anambra State governorship election and other parts of the country against conflicts.
He maintained that deploying heavy security during the election did not imply militarizing the election and added that they believed in the principle that proper planning would prevent poor performance.
He added, “We are working with all security agencies including the local security institutions. That’s why the CP is the chairman of the meetings at the state level while the IGP is in charge at the federal.”
The IGP disclosed that the Correctional Services, the DSS, NSCDC, Customs, FRSC, etc were all in the team.
Responding to the questions, the INEC Chairman, represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, reiterated the Commission’s preparedness for the Anambra guber election.
He said, “On the issue of readiness for the election, we are ready to give our best. We have been working assiduously to make sure that we get our processes and procedures ready to conduct a very good election.
“Based on the challenges of Anambra State, the electoral officers at the Local Governments have been meeting with critical stakeholders and engaging them on what is going on. The Resident Electoral Commissioner has also been engaging all the stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, leaders of Civil Society Organisations and the media to sensitise them on what we are doing in relation to the election.
“As you know, the conduct of election is a multi sectoral responsibility. It is not a single agency or a single organ responsibility. The responsibility of the Commission is to organise a credible elections while the police and other security agencies are to secure the process and the materials including personnel.”
