C'River PDP support groups, civil society call on Buhari, IG to redeploy state’s Deputy Police Commissioner

 

Accuse officer of harassing opposition parties 

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From Judex Okoro, Calabar

Over fifteen support groups of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a civil society, Cross River Democratic Watch (CRDW), have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, IG, to redeploy the state’s Deputy Commissioner Of Police Operations,Francis Idu, over his anti democratic dispositions.

The group, which made the plea in Calabar on Saturday while speaking on the rising tension in the state ahead of next week’s general elections, also accused the officer of alleged harassment and intimidation of opposition political parties in the state.

The PDP support groups including Reclaim Cross River, Health Professionals For Sandy, Elites For Sandy, Atiku Youths, PDP Angels, Stronger Together, Advocacy For True Democracy, Mandated Mandate, Aso World Wide For Sandy and Caterpillar Ladies, in particular, aver that on several occasions their members have been arrested on the orders of the DCP Operations on trumped up charges ostensibly to favour the ruling party in the state.

Speaking on the issue, the groups’ spokesperson, Dr Dorn Claimnz Enamhe, stated that facts are on ground that shows the DCP Operations has no iota of respect for the oat of office that he swore to and rather operating in as if he is above the law.

According to Enamhe, if the officer’s excesses are not checked, there is every likelihood, based on his antecedents, that he would compromise the pending general elections.

“In view of the above, we call on President Buhari, who is the number one security officer of the country and Inspector General of Police to look at the case of Cross River State and without any delay redeploy the Deputy Commissioner Of Police, DCP Operations, Francis Idu, to forestall his interference and give the election in the state some credibility.

“His actions and inactions at all times has shown clearly that he does not respect the oath he took as a police officer. We have very serious pieces of information that some people are sponsoring some security personnel to disarm voters by all means.

Enamhe, who claimed to be the National President of the Advancement of Cross River State People (NAACP), averred that 2023 is a different year in this country and advised people to be guided properly.

He appealed to men and officers of the police command and other security agencies not to allow themselves to be used for the disenfranchisement of opposition parties and perhaps to intimidate and scare ia away from participating in the election process.

Also raising the alarm over the overbearing influence of DCP Operations in the state police command, coordinator and secretary of Cross River Democratic Watch (CRDW),
Messers Emmanuel Agbor Agbor and Austine Ushie respectively, accused the officer of providing cover for some alleged criminal elements to hijack electoral materials during the last House of Representatives by-election for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency held on on Saturday, February 26, 2022.

Expressing worry at the repeat of same scenario in 2023 election, the duo of Emmanuel Agbor Agbor and Austine Ushie, called on police authorities not to succumb to any move to set up Special Forces, alleged to be headed by DCP OPs, as they would not hesitate to mobilise Cross Riverians against such move.

“The Inspector General of Police has committed to a level playing field, but Ayade who has been rejected by his people, is bent on rigging the election, through violence aided by the Police, anchored by the the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Cross River State Command, DCP Francis Idu.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police not listen to his manipulative tendencies. We also call on the authorities to call the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, to order to desist from being used as a willing tool.

“We shall resist any attempt to compromise the senatorial election in any form using unauthorised security presence, the statement concluded.

Earlier in an interview, the Police Public Relations Officer in Cross River, SP Irene Ugbo, said the Command has remained resolute and most professional in the discharge its constitutional duty of protection of lives and property.

She said thè tactical Unit will work for anybody except for the success of the polls, adding “they are non partisan and will never take side and urge all parties involved to remain calm and law abiding as there was no cause for alarm.

“We are not police for any political party , we are police for the entire citizenry , our duty is to protect lives and property , and we won’t violate that to please anybody .

“So anyone caught breaking the law , shall be arrested and prosecuted according to the electoral act. No man or woman no matter their standing is above the law. All the political gladiators should caution their numerous supporters,” she said.