Ahead of the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State on Saturday, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode, Egbetokun, has vowed to ensure a free and peaceful electoral process in the state, stating that perpetrators of violence will have the security forces to contend with.
The IGP, made the statement during a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa on Monday, also read the riot act to perpetrators of electoral violence to steer clear of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
He stated that the force and other security agencies were fully ready and duty bound to ensure free and fair polls in the state and that troublemakers would be made to face the full weight of the law.
He explained that his visit was in respect of the election and assured that the police was neutral.
While calling on Bayelsans to have confidence in the police, he emphasised that the increased deployment of its personnel in the state was in order to forestall any violence during the poll.
He said: ‘Your Excellency, you are aware that the election is just four days away. I want to assure you that the police, with the assistance of other security agencies, will provide adequate security for the election on November 11.’
‘In Bayelsa State, and in the other two states where the election will be taking place, I want to say with confidence that the police and other security agencies have taken a position to be neutral in this election.’
‘However, those with criminal intention to disrupt the election in Bayelsa will meet our men on ground. They will have the whole of us to contend with.’
Responding, Governor Diri said the pledge of the IGP to provide adequate security for the election was an added advantage to the peace and security the state already enjoyed.
The IGP then called on the governor to appeal to his party’s supporters to be non-violent, the governor then assured the IGP that PDP members and supporters are the most peaceful in the buildup to the election.
He said his government and Bayelsans were ready to support the police to achieve zero violence during the poll.
Governor Diri also noted that if a sitting president could lose and accept the outcome of his election without shedding blood, then no one should toy with the lives of Bayelsans because of the election.
He also urged his people not to be frightened by the large deployment of security personnel or result in voter lethargy but rather, it should boost their confidence to cast their votes with the assurance of a free and fair and credible election.
