By Adewole Kehinde
The governorship election that took place on Wednesday 28th September,
2016 in Edo State was a huge feat when you talk of the security arrangement put
in place.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris had visited Edo State
on Friday 9th September, 2016 ahead of governorship election to seek the
cooperation of Stakeholders for a peaceful election and the visit really contributed
to the non-violent governorship election we witnessed in the State.
It will be recalled that in his determination to ensure that the
rescheduled Edo Gubernatorial Election is conducted in a peaceful and secured
atmosphere, the Inspector General of Police had ordered the galvanization of
the reviewed operation plan for the governorship election that held throughout
the State on Wednesday, 28th September, 2016.
A total of 25,000 Police officers were deployed across the State to
ensure peace and security during the polls. The election security process paid
off as it guaranteed the free, fair and credible governorship election we
witnessed in Edo State.
The electoral process was well secured; eligible voters exercised their rights
freely without intimidation, election materials and officials were well protected
and above all, no single soul was lost during the election.
In the same manner, protection of life and property in Edo State were
duly secured while the slight protest at the INEC office and some spots in Edo
State was put under control by the Nigeria Police with support from other sister
security agencies on ground.
The Police officers deployed for the election really conducted
themselves in the best professional manner, maintaining apolitical disposition
and strictly stood by the rules of engagement.
The entire Nigeria Policemen that were deployed to Edo State discharged
their statutory functions effectively, unbiased and in accordance to the principles
of democratic policing and I must commend them for that.
On the security arrangement for the election, the APC Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, described it as lovely. “Well, I’m National Chairman of the party and
it was something that was of grave concern for us all the time. All the
security agencies have given us iron clad assurance that there will be no
incident, at least, no major incident.”
Above all, I must commend the man that laid the foundation for this Peace
and Tranquility in Edo State that has led to the free, fair and credible
election. That is the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris for keeping
to his promise of providing an atmosphere of Peace and Safety to all residents
of Edo State.
It is on record that IGP Ibrahim Idris attended Joint Police and
Military courses, including Disaster Management Course at the Armed Forces
Command and Staff College Jaji in 2003; he was also the Director, International
Peace Keeping Office at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters from 11th April
2011 to 6th July 2011. All these must have contributed to the peaceful and rancour-free
governorship election in Edo State.
As a man of Peace, in March 2011, the President of Democratic Republic
of Timor Leste, Dr Jose Ramos Horta (Nobel Lauret) awarded IGP Ibrahim Idris the
Country’s highest National Medal, the “Medal of Merit”, for his contribution to
the Security and Stability of Timor Leste.
The UN Secretary General appointed Mr. Ibrahim as a Police Commissioner
in UNAMID, in Darfur. This is the 1st time a Nigerian Police officer was
clinching a B2 position for any UN Mission in the World. However, he declined the
offer to enable him contribute his quota in ensuring Peace and Stability during
and after the 2015 General Elections which he did perfectly in Kano State.
The residents of Ondo and especially Rivers State, where elections will
come up before the end of the year; can be assured of violent-free elections, to
be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and water tight security arrangement which
will be put in place by the Nigeria Police in collaboration with other sister
security outfit.
Lastly, Nigerians should be assured of adequate security in our
electoral process as the foundation for a rancour-free election has been laid
in Edo State by the Inspector
General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris.
Adewole Kehinde is a Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst
based in Abuja. He can be reached via kennyadewole@gmail.com
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