State Commissioner of Police (CP), Bethrand Onuoha, stated this in a telephone interview with NAN in Lokoja, the state capital.
Onuoha said that the plan to deploy a large number of personnel was informed by past experiences in the state.
“As it is, we have marked out some security flashpoints for more vigilance, even though recent happenings signalled to us that the whole Kogi is a flashpoint.
“From the number of security personnel we are deploying for this election, it is enough testimony to tell you that the state needs more security checks.
“With the presence of adequate security personnel in Kogi, we are calling on everybody to come out and exercise his or her civic right in this forthcoming November 11 governorship election.
“We are going to flood the state with enough security personnel, and by the special grace of God, with our actions and sanctions, we are going to confound our detractors,” he said.
Onuoha added: “God is telling me that this election is going to be better than all the elections ever held here in Kogi.
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“We have directed our personnel to be fair to everybody because we come here to serve the people and not any particular individual.”
The CP urged politicians to play according to the rules of the game, saying that elections would come and go, and while the people would remain.
“We expect that they should adopt politics without bitterness. Your brother is your brother, no matter where he belongs politically,” he said.
The IGP also shed more light on why the police planned to hold its annual retreat in Imo, saying the choice of the state was deliberate.
“Our choice of Owerri is deliberate. It is deliberate because of this election. We want to send a message to the people of Imo that the state is free for this election.
“We want to encourage the voters to come out en masse to take part in this election.
“We are deploying massively for Imo to make sure that the election in the state is free and fair and hitch-free,’’ Mr Egbetokun said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, warned those planning to disrupt the November 11 governorship election in
The IGP also shed more light on why the police planned to hold its annual retreat in Imo, saying the choice of the state was deliberate.
“Our choice of Owerri is deliberate. It is deliberate because of this election. We want to send a message to the people of Imo that the state is free for this election.
“We want to encourage the voters to come out en masse to take part in this election.
“We are deploying massively for Imo to make sure that the election in the state is free and fair and hitch-free,’’ Mr Egbetokun said.
In another development, apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has appealed to all stakeholders to embrace the peace.
Ohanaeze, in a statement yesterday by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, commended the presidency, through the IGP, in implementing one of the conditions by the Organised Labour by redeploying the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Barde.
It recalled the November 1, 2023 clash allegedly involving agents of the Imo State government, the Police, and the Organised Labour, which led to the brutalisation of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo noted that following the redeployment of the CP, the NLC should consider shelving the nationwide strike scheduled for November 8.
The statement read, “With 17 gubernatorial candidates vying for the position, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in light of recent events, is earnestly calling on NLC to consider shelving the nationwide strike scheduled for 8th November, 2023.
“This appeal is made following the redeployment of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Barde.
“It is vital that the leaders involved, Governor Hope Uzodinma and Joe Ajaero, both esteemed Igbo sons, prioritise peace and allow for a conducive environment for the electoral process to transpire smoothly in Imo State.”
The organisation added that the recent acts of violence witnessed in Imo State may lead to voter apathy and low turnout.
It also said, “It is crucial for Imolites, both citizens and residents of Imo State, to actively participate in the democratic process by coming out en-masse to vote according to their consciences and choices.
“The destiny and future of Imo State are at stake, and the Imo State Government, Organised Labour (NLC and TUC), and Biafra agitators must allow the citizens and residents of the state to exercise their fundamental civic rights and freedoms to vote for their preferred candidates.”
Furthermore, Ohanaeze appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that security agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) carry out their constitutional duties with independence and impartiality. It is paramount that the lives of voters are safeguarded, and their votes are duly counted by INEC as the electoral umpire.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for unity and peaceful conduct during the upcoming state gubernatorial elections in Imo State. We implore all stakeholders to prioritise the well-being and democratic rights of the people of Imo State above all partisan interests.
“Let us collectively work towards a free, fair, and transparent election that will shape the future of Imo State,” it stressed.
