Off-season gov polls: IG undercover squads comb Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa flashpoints, criminal hideouts

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has deployed undercover agents, who are currently carrying out covert operations to identify criminals’ hideouts and clamp down on them in the three states and neighbouring states.

Sunday PUNCH also gathered that President Bola Tinubu had approved the allowances for police officers deployed for the off-season elections in the three states, as well as other officers on special duties. Governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa have in recent years been marred by several unsettling events, which led to avoidable loss of lives and property. For example, during the last governorship election in the state held in 2019, the then governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, said 22 persons were killed. He said 10 out of them were members of the Peoples Democratic Party, while the 12 other residents were “beheaded, mutilated and actually butchered” before they were thrown into the sea. Also, in Kogi State, no fewer than four persons were reported killed during the 2019 election. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his counterpart in Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, are seeking re-election, while Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is rounding off his second term and is supporting the All Progressives Congress candidate, Usman Ododo, whom he anointed among the aspirants to win the party’s ticket. Six days to the elections, it was learnt that the police commands in the three states had also finalised plans to deploy anti-riot equipment such as teargas canisters, water cannon, Armoured Personnel Carriers and drones to ensure adequate security before, during and after the polls. The Force Headquarters also disclosed that the police were prepared for the elections, and that adequate deployment had been done in all areas. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday, added, “We are ready and have prepared well for the elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states. Adequate deployments have been done to all areas, including the protection of Independent National Electoral Commission officials, accredited observers, media, materials and facilities. We have made arrangements for necessary escorts during the elections. “The IG has ordered additional allocation of logistics, equipment and personnel to the states and other states that will support the concerned states. The IG was in Imo to address stakeholders on Thursday. We are good to go. “Also, the allowances of our personnel for the election duty have been approved for payment. We are engaging all the stakeholders to maintain peace and be law-abiding before, during and after the elections.” Adejobi told our correspondent in September that being off-season elections, the police would “deploy our equipment as well to make sure that each of the three states is fortified for free, fair and credible elections. We have enough equipment, arms and ammunition, teargas canisters, water cannons, armoured personnel carriers, drones and our plain clothes officers will also be on the field to gather intelligence for us.” Confirming the police readiness to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said there was enough security on ground, adding that the state command had deployed undercover agents, officers in uniform and adequate equipment to enable the electorate to cast their votes under a secured atmosphere. He stated, “We are prepared. Note that the election comes in different phases – the pre-election phase, the election phase and the post-election phase. For the pre-election phase, we have deployed operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau to embark on undercover operations. We deployed them across the 27 LGs, and they are assisting us in intelligence-led raid of criminal hideouts. “The command is prepared to provide a conducive atmosphere that will guarantee the conduct of a credible and acceptable election. We have made both covert and overt deployments; hence Imolites should come out and cast their votes without fear.” Parties oppose rigging In Imo State, the two major opposition parties in the state, Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, have expressed optimism that they will defeat the governor, the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress. In separate interviews with one of our correspondents in Owerri on Friday, they said the governor would lose the election, based on his performance in the last four years. The LP Legal Adviser in the state, Emeka Ihejirike, said the APC administration brought nothing but hardship to the people, noting that the party’s candidate, Athan Achonu, was prepared to lead the state to the path of economic stability, security and infrastructural development. Ihejirike said though his party had received intelligence that the APC administration was planning to use thugs to rig the election, the LP and the people of the state were prepared to resist the plot. He stated, “The chances of the Labour Party in the forthcoming governorship election in Imo State are very bright, having taken its message across the 27 LGs, 305 wards and 4,720 polling units in the state. “It is a known fact that Imolites are tired of the constant insecurity, which has not only driven thousands from their homes, but has sent so many to their early graves. “They (incumbent administration) may try, but they will fail. It will be outright chaos if they try such nonsense (rigging); I am sure (President Bola) Tinubu will not like any part of the country to boil. Therefore, I think he will allow free and fair elections. Meanwhile, we have put things in place to check any attempt at rigging. Imolites should come out and vote; nobody will steal the votes. Even the people rumoured to have written results are desperately begging for votes.” The Director, Media and Publicity, Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation, Chibuikem Diala, said the LP candidate was the party to beat in the election, noting that the people were desirous of sustainable development, effective leadership and quality life, which the Labour Party would provide. He added, “The whole world is aware that the APC in Imo State is capable of doing anything to win the election. The memory of how the current governor got into government is still very fresh. Imolites have also vowed to resist any attempt by the APC people to perpetuate themselves in power because they have been rejected. Like a rolling stone, they will gather no moss. “We expect Federal Government agencies, including the police, army and the Department of State Services, to remain neutral, professional and to do the right thing at all times. They must not deny the people their choice.” For the Director-General, PDP’s New Media Directorate in the state, Lancelot Obiaku, the forthcoming election would be a litmus test for Tinubu. He said his party’s candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, was sure of winning the election and that the President must ensure that the people’s will prevailed. While accusing the APC government in the state of plotting to subdue the opposition during the election, Obiaku added, “The PDP in Imo State and its governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, have had a successful campaign in which every nook and cranny of the state was reached. “The Imo PDP is confident of a clear and overwhelming victory, because the people are yearning for the party to come in and rescue the state from the ravages of insecurity, rising poverty, infrastructural decay and government rascality. We know the APC government must be plotting several undemocratic moves, including using fake security men and his private Ebueagu militia to cause mayhem and undermine the process. “However, we expect that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should know that the Imo election is a litmus test for it. Strong doubts remain about the INEC in the state and the current Imo State police commissioner. We are hoping that the Inspector-General of Police and the INEC chairman will do the right thing. We have it on good authority that Imo people will resist any attempt to deny them their choice as they have suffered enough from Uzodimma’s regime.” But the spokesperson for the APC in the state, Cajetan Duke, said the party was ready for the election and had no plan to hijack the electoral process. He said the claims by the opposition were because they had seen the handwriting on the wall that the greater percentage of the electorate want Uzodimma re-elected. Duke stated, “The chances of our party, the APC, in the forthcoming governorship election in the state is very reassuring and overwhelming. The performance of Governor Hope Uzodimma over the past three years has earned him the trust and solidarity of the people of the state. We are very confident that with the support and backing of relevant stakeholders in the state, such as religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, local development partners as well as prominent political players across party lines, the process will be fair and we will win. “The re-election of Governor Hope Uzodimma is going to be predicated on his phenomenal performance in the areas of infrastructural development, civil service reforms, urban renewal initiatives, health care delivery, education, agriculture and youth empowerment, among others. Under Governor Uzodimma, we have completely eliminated the monster of family interference in the business of governance in the state. We have seen maturity in leadership.” “There is no such plan to hijack the electoral process, and we don’t have any machinery to do so; the propaganda by the opposition PDP is an acknowledgement of defeat before the commencement of the competition. The opposition in the state is aware that Uzodimma is the most popular political player on the stage at the moment with overwhelming goodwill.” In Bayelsa State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition parties are trading blame over the alleged deployment of thugs to intimidate voters during the election. The state Publicity Secretary, PDP, Ebiye Ogoli, said it was not true that Governor Douye Diri and the party were plotting to use violence to achieve victory in the poll. He said it was the opposition, particularly the APC, that was relying on thuggery to intimidate voters on the Election Day, describing Diri as a peaceful person who did not believe in violence as a means of winning elections. While debunking allegations that the PDP was planning to deploy thugs to intimidate voters, Ogoli said, “Absolutely not (true). The reverse is rather the case. Recall that they threatened the PDP in Twon-Brass town where they called on their supporters to chase the PDP members into the sea and ensure that they die in the process. What is happening now is a follow-up to that order. “The APC supporters have scaled up the level of intimidation and threat on our party members. The end result is to scare our supporters away, hijack electoral materials and write fictitious results for themselves on Election Day. “The truth is that Governor Douye Diri is a peace-loving man and continues to preach peace. His message has always been that we are first brothers and sisters before political parties; and that the quest for power is not a sufficient reason to take the life of your brother or sister. But our main challenger cares less, believing that power acquisition should be by every means possible.” Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC said it would win the election if the exercise was free and fair, adding that the people were on the side of the party. The state APC Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, said, “If the elections are free, fair and credible, the APC will win the election. The Bayelsa people are with us. They have never been with Senator Douye Diri. Don’t forget that he did not win the 2019 governorship election. The Supreme Court made him governor on the basis of alleged multiple names of the deputy governor-elect. Hence he calls himself ‘miracle governor’. “His performance in office has been disgraceful. No wonder, he has not been campaigning on any known record of achievement. Instead, the incumbent government has been running from court to court, and resorting to self-help. Our candidate, Timipre Sylva, has a robust six-point agenda to move Bayelsa State forward. We have challenged Douye Diri to produce his programme. He has yet to pick up the challenge. “We know as a matter of fact that the PDP is desperate about this election. But fear is out of the question. We have the capacity within the limits of the law to face, contain and defeat them. We call on armed and security forces to do their work according to the laws of our land.” When contacted, the Labour Party in the state promised to get back to one of our correspondents, but it had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report. Kogi candidates speak In Kogi State, the PDP and Social Democratic Party in Kogi State have expressed hope of winning a free and fair governorship election on Saturday. The Director of Communication, SDP, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, urged the President to provide adequate security for the election. Adejoh-Audu stated, “The major problem we have is violence, but as we can see, that is being taken care of. The President is deploying soldiers to every nook and cranny of the state, who will tackle political thuggery during the election. All we need is a level playing field and this can be achieved if the President keeps to his word; soldiers are everywhere, thugs are not allowed to move freely with guns, and of course, if there is no compromise. “Our confidence level of winning this election is very high because already, we are sure of 25 per cent votes from all the local governments, so we are sure of winning. We are winning this election no matter the manipulation. And we are doing our best to make sure that those manipulations don’t work. We will police our votes from the polling units to the collation centres.” Also, the spokesperson for the PDP campaign council, tagged Dino-Deen Campaign Council, Yemi Olumudi, said, “The whole world is concerned because of the 2019 incident, not just our party. As I speak to you, there is already a heavy military presence in some parts of the local governments just to forestall possible breakdown of law and order. “We are very confident that we are going to win the poll, because the people of Kogi are tired of suffering. The fact is there for all to see. And the candidate of the PDP, Senator Dino Melaye, is the most qualified and most experienced. There are only two parties in Kogi State that have structures – the PDP and the APC – all the other parties don’t have structures and we are very confident that we will emerge victorious at the poll.” Reacting to the claims that the party planned to instigate violence during the election, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Usman Suleman, said, “Violence is not part of us and we don’t have any plan to instigate violence. We know we are on the ground, so why are we going to create violence? You know you are going to win, why will you be fighting again? “Our confidence in winning this election is 100 per cent sure. I am giving you my assurance that the APC is going to win this election because some of the leaders of some of the opposition parties like the PDP have started defecting to our party. So, I am not doubting our victory.” Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has announced that parties and stakeholders involved in the Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa off-cycle elections will sign the Peace Accord on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. In a statement on Saturday, Abubakar stated, “The NPC hereby wishes to announce the signing of the Peace Accord on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 by political parties and other election stakeholders in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states. This is to pledge their commitment to peaceful, transparent and equitable elections in their respective states. The chairman noted the need to commit to a peaceful and conducive environment, adding that the elections in the states provided an opportunity “to underscore our unwavering commitment to peaceful democratic transitions, setting an inspiring example for the entire nation”. He urged stakeholders in the various states to play their part in keeping the peace before, during and after the elections, adding that peace was the responsibility of everyone. He also called on citizens to exercise their franchise in electing their leaders, in accordance with the provisions of the law. The statement added, “The responsibility for peace belongs to each of us. We appeal to citizens in these states to exercise their rights to vote, choosing their leaders according to the provisions of the law. Remember, your vote is your voice, and with your participation, we can collectively build a better state.” He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and other concerned agencies to be transparent, particularly because the entire nation and the world are watching. He added, “We extend our best wishes to the residents of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states. Your collective efforts to ensure the electoral process, epitomising the spirit of progress and hope, will set the standard for unity and growth in our nation.” CSOs caution candidates Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria has asked the IG to caution the governorship candidates in Kogi State. This came on the heels of inciting statements made during campaigns by candidates and political party stakeholders in the state. While noting that the state had a history of violence, the convener of the group, Mr Wisdom Chinedu, wants the candidates cautioned so as to prevent violence in the election. Chinedu told Sunday PUNCH, “In 2007, there was mayhem in the state during an election and it caused the death of many people. In this election cycle, we are seeing a lot of violent threats from some candidates contesting the November 11 poll. This should not be so. We do not want a repeat of the 2007 scenario, especially when we should be consolidating the gains of our democratic journey since 1999. We do not wish to be taken to the dark days when people sat on mandates of blood and tears. We need quick action from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to caution the candidates and save the day.” LP accuses APC In a related development, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Athan Achonu, has accused the APC of plans to compromise the poll. At a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, on Saturday, Achonu said INEC must conduct elections in all the polling units in the state, adding, “It is no longer secret that there are reports (allegations) of APC perfecting plans to influence INEC polling officers and ad hoc staff. We officially put INEC on notice that the APC is planning heavily to influence the outcome of the election through compromised ad hoc staff and a few corrupt officials. “In the last two weeks, video evidence in circulation show communities like Owerri West, Oguta, Okigwe, Ihitte Uboma, etc., where APC leaders are harvesting details of voter cards. This is criminal and an attempt to subvert the will of the people. I call on INEC and security agents to be alert and checkmate these efforts at rigging the election and ensure that sensitive materials do not get into the wrong hands. “It is important to restate that all collation should be done at the official designated centres, not local government council headquarters. Specifically, Isiala Mbano INEC office was burnt down. So INEC should publicly announce a public primary school as collation centre for Isiala Mbano. This should also be the case in every other location with similar challenges. We will use all lawful means to resist any plan to collate results in any place other than officially designated locations at the ward level and at the local government level.” He called on INEC to, as a matter of urgency, publish the polling centres where elections will not hold. He also faulted alleged plans by the state government to “block” accommodation in all hotels in Owerri, while calling on hotels to resist any anti-democratic and anti-people move. Responding, the spokesperson for the APC in the state, Cajetan Duke, said the LP and the other opposition parties stood no chance in the election. He added that his party and the candidate had done well and had campaigned across the state to win the poll. IPOB cautions INEC The Indigenous People of Biafra has asked INEC officials in Imo State to ensure that the election is not rigged. It warned that rigging would only throw the state into a political crisis during and after the election. The group called on willing voters to go out and vote for their preferred candidate and defend their votes. A statement by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, partly read, “The global family and movement of IPOB ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, warns INEC not to throw Imo State into political crisis in the coming governorship election. In this coming election, INEC officials must be very circumspect not to throw Imo State into crisis. “IPOB members are not politicians, neither are they partisan. But we are against any political party or government that is toxic to our people. Moreso, those hotel owners in Owerri who have concluded plans to hand over their hotels to the government Imo from November 4 to 11 as rigging centers should be careful not to jeopardise their businesses after the elections.”