Why Police Should Restrict Politicians To Their Polling Units

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has called for the restriction of politicians in the state to their polling units during Saturday’s governorship election.

Speaking on Thursday during a statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt, Wike said he has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, to block politicians from moving about with police escort.

The governor stated that the state government made the call to the IGP because there were plans by politicians to parade suspected thugs to disrupt the election.

Wike said the state Police Command continues to provide VIP security services to politicians in defiance of the IGP’s order to withdraw all escorts attached to VIPs during the elections.

He said: “We have noticed that the anti-terrorism unit of the state police command continues to provide VIP security services to politicians in defiance of the inspector general’s order to withdraw all police personnel attached to VIPs during the elections.

“We, therefore, request the Inspector-General of Police to enforce his order by ensuring that all political leaders are restricted to their polling units and prevented from moving about with police escort.

Speaking further, Wike said the state government expects the security operatives to be professional throughout the governorship and state assembly elections.

He also declared Friday, March 17, 2023, as a public holiday to enable all workers to travel to their communities and vote in their polling units.