Yemi Obafemi
Ahead of the Saturday, November 11 governorship election in Imo State, The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun has ordered immediate redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for election security.
In a statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the redeployment of the CP is a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management.
Adejobi said, “This redeployment is not an indictment on the affected officer but is rather part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management.
“The IG is resolute in ensuring that a secure environment is provided for all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, and citizens to participate in the electoral process. He urges all and sundry to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies and adhere to the law in order to ensure a smooth and successful election while maintaining the principles of democracy.”
He spoke days after the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the Labour Party, and Civil Society Organisations, called for Barde’s redeployment.
During a Channels Television programme on Sunday evening, themed “Peoples Town Hall On Election Security.”The Inspector General of Police had promised to redeploy Barde, over alleged partisanship.
He said, “We are aware that there are allegations against the Commissioner of Police in Imo. Before the elections, we’re changing the CP. This is not to say the CP has been found guilty. But for neutrality sake, we are changing the Commissioner of Police in Imo State.”
Recall the attack on the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, after he was arrested by the police while leading a protest last Wednesday in Imo state. The organised labour had issued a five-day ultimatum for Barde’s redeployment.
Also, the Labour Party had expressed its support for calls made for the immediate redeployment of the CP and other officials allegedly involved in the recent attack on Ajaero in the state.
Amidst the widespread outrage that followed the incident, the NLC and the TUC had accused the Imo CP of being complicit in the attack and threatened a five-day ultimatum for the Federal Government to replace him.
