Wike to INEC, police: Commit yourselves to credible polls

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has called on the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commit themselves to credible polls in the interest of the nation. Governor Wike stated that it was the alleged negative actions of the police and INEC who, he claimed, manipulated the electoral process that made it difficult for politicians to be held accountable by the electorate. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6 Calabar, Governor Wike said that politicians took advantage of the illegal electoral system to deny the people good governance. “Don’t allow yourselves to be used negatively to influence the electoral process. Please save Nigeria so that we can continue to remain united beyond 2019. The greater interest of the nation is paramount. “You people make politicians not to be accountable. If votes count, every politician will sit up. Here, our votes don’t count. People rely on police and INEC to get into office,” he alleged. The governor noted that the alleged illegal actions of the police and INEC generated violence in the political space. “Violence is caused when security agencies lay the scene for the rigging of elections. INEC manipulates the process and it leads to violence. Our major problem in the country is the Police and INEC,” the governor alleged. He added that it was the duty of the police to stop the crime of rigging. The governor assured the police that the state government would always support them with the logistics and funding to fight crime. Speaking earlier, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 6, Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi assured the Rivers State governor that the police would perform their responsibility professionally to ensure credible polls in 2019. He said that officers and men were receiving the required training to be neutral and professional during the polls. The AIG commended the Rivers State governor for his logistical and financial support which, he said, had assisted the police in carrying out her duties. The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, informed Governor Wike that the Zone would arrange a peace accord for security agencies, political leaders, and INEC ahead of the 2019 elections. Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt