Security Chiefs in Rivers State have warned the two leading political parties in the State of to desist from a repeat of what happened in the presidential elections.
They also ordered the withdrawal of all security aides of politicians in the state.
The warning was issued at an extraordinary meeting held by all the security chiefs in the state, organised for the two leading political parties.
The State Commissioner of Police, Hosiah karma, who presided over the meeting, noted that any security official that is not on election duty should stay away on election day and should not be seen in uniform.
Karma also emphasised on the need for party leaders to call their supporters to order, adding that anyone found causing nuisance on election day would be arrested.
“For those who are privileged to have security men attached to them and up till now, they have not been withdrawn, I will advise the security men to pull off their uniform and remain at home, because even if you are a policeman or a soldier and you are not deployed for election duty, you must not be seen escorting anybody; you will be arrested.
“Based on that, all the security men attached to politicians are hereby withdrawn. So, I urge all the stakeholders here today to go and warn all their subjects because anyone caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law”, the CP said.
He also warned against the use of fake NYSC members and fake security operatives, who may appear on uniforms to deceive the public.
Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Davies Ibyiamu Ikeanya and other APC leaders present, including Senator Magnus Abe, Deputy governorship candidate, Honourable Asita and Victor Giadom, at the meeting, raised concerns about the credibility of the REC in conducting the elections.
The APC leaders, among other issues, also appealed to the security operatives to be impartial and beef up security to avoid intimidation and oppression of their supporters. On their part, leaders of the PDP at the meeting, led by the governorship candidate of the party, Nyesom Wike, his Deputy, Banigo Ipalibo-Harry, Minister of Sport, Tammy Danagogo and the Secretary of the party, Ibibia Walter also appealed to the security operatives to be non-partisan on Saturday.
The PDP leaders who raised alarm over alleged plan by the security operatives to collude with the APC in other to stop election from holding, said Rivers people were ready for election and that nothing should be allowed to stop the election.
On her part, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Gesila Kahn, who was speaking for the first time after the presidential election, says all the allegations against her were false.
Khan said INEC could not be compromised, adding that the Commission was ready to conduct a free and credible election.
She said: “I am informing this house that we will run elections and it will be free and fair. It is a common knowledge, the media people are aware that the Governor told his people not to vote, and if your people don’t go out to vote, how then do you want to win election?”
Other Security Chiefs who were present at the meeting include the second Brigade Army Commander, Bori Camp, Commander Essien Koko, the representative of the Nigerian Airforce, NLS Pathfinder, Air Marshal Phillip, representatives of the DSS and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
DAILY POST reports that the party leaders were subjected to signing another undertaking to avoid electoral violence in the state.
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