Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola has expressed dismay over allegations made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the state Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari to the effect that his life is under serious threat.
In a statement by the image maker of the state police command, SP Sulaiman Nguroje noted that such fear is unfounded as the police command has deployed all measures to ensure the protection of the lives of staff, properties, and equipment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before, during and after the coming supplementary elections in the state.
In the statement entitled, “Re–alarm of threat to life raised by the INEC REC” the commissioner of police reiterated the determination of the police to checkmate any criminal tendency during the exercise.
“Adamawa state Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, has deployed the Command’s operational asset around INEC facilities for surveillance operations to checkmate criminal activities around it, as a further manifestation of the IGP’s determination in providing a conducive atmosphere for the political process in the state.
“These deployments without a doubt will surely assist in monitoring INEC materials, prevent any attempt to invade INEC premises, coordinate timely response to distress calls,s and clamp down on any attempt threatening the electoral Process.
“The CP has equally directed commander 14pmf Squadron, to immediately ensure strategic deployment of officers and Operational Assets at the INEC office and State Collation Centre.
“The CP while responding to the allegation made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner during an interaction with journalists at his Bauchi residence on Tuesday denied telling him of not Guaranteeing his safety, instead the Command’s Deployment was massive and highly Commendable as political thugs across the state were warned and denied access to the Collation Centre.
“The CP further re-emphasized that the presence of Police and other Security agents is a firm determination of the Command in Creating an enabling and well-secured environment for the electoral process and at no time did the Commissioner of Police urged the REC to announce the results as against the Statement of the REC.
“He further advised the REC to Concentrate on doing what is expected of him in accordance with the extant laws and assured the Good people of Adamawa state of being professional in the discharge of his duty,” he said.
Tension has enveloped Adamawa State during the collation of the governorship result of March 18 over serious infractions and allegations of impropriety between the two major contending parties in the state.
The two leading political parties APC, and PDP have engaged in a serious altercation alleging that the results of Fufoure local government have been changed three times in order to change the outcome of the polls.
The rigmarole came amidst a viral audio clip in which the REC was heard directing the Returning Officer of Fufoure LG to the effect that he received orders from above to help the APC governorship candidate.
