State run radio, ORIENT FM, today, quoted a press statement from Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo, stating that the suspension of government functions has to do with Imo North Senatorial Re run polls scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 23, 2016.
Okorocha, according to the statement, urged the people of Imo North to vote for the All Progressive Congress, APC senatorial candidate Benjamin Uwajumuogu, calling on those bent on rigging the election to desist from such as such practice is outdated.
The APC is challenging the PDP for the Imo North Senatorial re run polls. The polls earlier scheduled three months ago were put off by INEC which cited serious security concerns.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command, Owerri has read a riot act to all stakeholders taking part in the polls .
A Press release signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Enwerem Reads:
PRESS RELEASE ON IMO RERUN ELECTION
The Imo North Senatorial Seat and House of Assembly rerun/supplementary election in Isiala Mbano, Oru East and parts of Owerri West constituency seats holds on Saturday, 23rd July, 2016.
The Nigeria Police Force working in synergy with other security agencies in the State have warned that all political parties, their agents and supporters must conduct themselves in accordance with the Electoral Act and guide lines, so as to ensure orderly and violence-free election in the affected areas of the State.
Party leaders are enjoined to ensure that their candidates and supporters desist from fomenting violence and to have a rethink over the use of political thugs before, during and after elections.
The INEC, Security agencies, Party leaders as well as candidates contesting the election have held series of meetings on issues bordering the election.
The Police Command has received added instructions, human and material supports from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, NPM mni to enable ensure the success of the election. More so, there will be serious dominance of Police, working in synergy with other security agencies to guarantee a violent-free election.
Political parties are warned to make their campaigns issue based and avoid the use of abusive or inflammatory languages during the period.
In line with our renewed strategies to ensure a free, fair, credible and violence-free election, the Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Taiwo Lakanu, has decided to shift his office temporarily to Area Command Headquarters Okigwe for a smooth, transparent and credible election devoid of thuggery, malpractice and violence. The Police and other security agencies in the State have resolved as follows;
1. No protest, demonstration or procession shall be tolerated on the
day preceding and, or on the day of the election.
2. No security outfit should be seen around the polling centers during
the election except those officially deployed for the election duties
and they include the Police, Directorate of Security Service (DSS),
Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Customs,
Immigration, Prisons, FRSC and NDLEA. Any other security outfit
seen within the polling or collation centers will be arrested and
prosecuted.
3. No politician or Government official whether contesting or not shall
be allowed to be accompanied by any security official such as
Orderly or escorts to the voting and collation centers.
4. Unauthorized vehicle(s) found blaring siren shall be impounded.
5. Voters will not be allowed to loiter around the voting centers after
casting their vote but would be allowed to stay peacefully within
300 meters away from the voting centers if they so wish.
6. Only Security agencies, INEC Officials, certified political party
agents and accredited observers would be allowed around the
collation centers.
7. There shall be restriction of vehicular movement within the areas
where election will be held as from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs on the
election day being Saturday 23rd July, 2016.
In the light of the foregoing, we shall activate all proactive measures in crime prevention and detection, to achieve a successful and laudable election.
The Police Command wishes to assure essential service providers, such as hospitals/clinic staff, PHCN, Media houses etc, that their safety is guaranteed while carrying out their lawful duties.
The Command will do everything within its statutory powers to guarantee security of lives and property of citizens in the state before, during and after the elections.
DSP ANDREW ENWEREM
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND
OWERRI
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