By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
About 12 support groups of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to without any further delay redeploy the Cross River State Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Operations, Francis Idu, possibly to Benue State so avoid scuttling the election process.
The support groups gave the charge on Saturday in Calabar, while reacting to the rising tension gradually building up in the state ahead of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, which the groups expressed the fear that may not be free and fair once Idu is allowed to function in the electioneering process.
The groups include: Reclaim Cross River, Health Professionals For Sandy, Elites For Sandy, Atiku Youths, PDP Angels, Stronger Together, Advocacy For True Democracy, Mandated Mandate, Aso World Wide For Sandy, Caterpillar Ladies, among others
Speaking through its spokesperson, who also doubles as the President, National Association for the Advancement of Cross River People, Dr. Dorn Claimnz Enamhe, the groups stated that available facts on ground show that the Cross River State DCP Operations has no iota of respect for human rights, stressing that Idu is noted for the violation of human rights.
Enamhe said, “We call on President Buhari who is the number one security officer of the country to look at the case of Cross River State and ask the Inspector General of Police to without any delay redeploy Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Operations, Francis Idu to wherever he feels like, possibly to Benue State if need be.
“His actions and inactions at all times has shown clearly that he does not respect the oath he took as a police officer.
“We have very serious information that some people are sponsoring some security personnel to disarm voters who are supposed to vote by all means.
“We have done a background check on this character and he is the one that was deployed during the last by elections in Ogoja-Yala and we know the things he did.”
Enamhe, who is a foundation member of the PDP in Cross River State stressed that 2023 is a different year in the history of Nigeria, as no election would be rigged.
He further informed that the groups were fully prepared to entertain the freest and fairest elections, warning those who had hatched plans to rig the polls to steer clear from the conduct of the polls.
Enamhe urged law enforcement agencises to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conduct the polls in a transparent and free and fair atmosphere, advising them not to act as stooges to any of the parties involved or allow themselves to be used to intimidate and harass opposition or parties involved in the polls or be ready to contend with the support groups.
