Stories by Sunday Ani, Tony Osauzo, Ighomuaye Lucky Olanrewaju Lawal and Sunday Ani
The Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has urged the Inspector General of Police(IGP) to be neutral among the political parties involved in the Edo State gubernatorial election.
National Coordinator of the Organisation, Comrade Victor Kalu, stated this while addressing a press conference on the forthcoming election alongside other members of the CSOs.
According to him, “ the recent arbitrary arrests and detention of some members of the Edo State Security Corps by the Nigeria Police calls for concern, especially in the lead up to the Governorship polls.
“The Nigeria Police Force is the lead security agency in the management of peace and security during elections and it’s professionalism and impartiality, before, during and after the elections goes a long way in determining the success or otherwise of our elections.
“If the Police Force, which is indeed, the custodian of our peace and security, are then, perceived to have taken sides with one of the parties to the elections, the electorate naturally resorts to self help and such unprofessional conduct becomes a tonic to the breakdown of law and order in the society “.
Kalu, appealed to the IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to prevail of the Police authorities to immediately release some members of the State Security Corps arrested and detained by Edo State Police Command, including Amos Tom Uduhagene, a Puwov personnel and Kingsley Osahon, a councilor in Ward 10 of Esan North East Local Government Area of the state and two others still in detention who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said; “this Coalition is therefore using this medium to appeal to the Police Authorities to live above board and stay on the course of fairness, equity, and Justice, before, during and after the elections.
“After a careful review and assessment of all the events in Edo State, it is the considered view of our coalition, under the aegis of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, that the Nigeria Police should make conscious and deliberate efforts to ensure that the good people of Edo State are all carried along by the police and indeed, all other security agencies to help inspire and foster peace and security as we count down to September 21st,2024.”
The CSOs urged the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces to ensure that there was no interference in the Edo State election as giving a match order to all stakeholders to ensure they toe a path of peace and decorum.
“Those who seek to create confusion and bad blood, just to achieve their personal gains must desist from using the ordinary citizens for their own selfish gains.
“The Network of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria wish to appeal to all Edo State citizens and residents and indeed, all Nigerians from across the political divide to sheath their swords and follow the path of peace and decorum “, they said.
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