By Ebinum Samuel
Anambra state is visibly calm and peaceful as the count down to Saturday’s Governorship election in the state begins. Police Officers detailed to police the state during the election seems to have virtually taken over the state and ensuring a climate of security/safety.
The dividends of the two day visit of the Inspector-General of Police IGP Olukayode Egbetokun to the state where he held several interactive sessions with stakeholders seems to be bearing the required dividends . This, is, according to the Police Service Commission through its spokesmsn, Ikechukwu Ani.
Meanwhile, Bar. Taiwo Lakanu, fdc, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the Commission’s Standing Committee on Police Matters is leading a strong PSC staff delegation of Monitors into the State to ensure that the Police, the lead Agency in internal security which includes elections are motivated to perform optimally.
The Commission has also released telephone hotlines for Anambrarians and other Nigerians to call to report on the conduct of Police Officers on electoral duties.
The Commission delegation is in Anambra state as part of its constitutional mandate to support and ensure that elections, the bedrock of the nation’s democracy is sustained and strengthened.
The PSC hotlines, are;
Anambra Central
1. 08064696711
2. 08035909482
3. 08039398301
Anambra south;
1.08034741057
2. 08033497350
3. 08033830073
Anambra North;
1. 08033145592
2. 08037505436
3. 08037416438
Situation Room
1. 08033145592
2.O8055480701
3.08033345362
4.08185241907
5.08064696711
DIG Lakanu said the Commission will continue to support the Police to ensure that elections are free and fair and that both the electorate and electoral materials are protected and also ensuring a conducive voting environment.
Already the Commissioner of Police posted to over see the election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, fsi has since arrived the state and designed a strategic operational manual to ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process in the state.
DIG Ben Okolo, DIG Force Intelligence is expected to lead the Police team during the election.