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Edo, Ondo Elections: Police calls for support from CSOs
BY PAUL SILAS
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has called for improved collaboration and support from civil society groups in the country toward the successful conduct of the September 19 and October 10, 2020 Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections, respectively.
Adamu made the call at a one-day interactive session with conveners/representatives of the various Civil Society Organisations, on Monday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The IGP, while observing that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play critical roles in the electioneering processes and general sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, noted that the meeting became necessary as part of ongoing efforts by the police leadership to galvanise critical stakeholders to share knowledge, compare notes and experience on the conduct of elections in the country.
Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement said the meeting also availed the police the opportunity to receive inputs from the CSOs towards engendering robust strategies to address identified threats and emerging trends as revealed in the Election Security Threat Assessment Reports conducted by the force in Edo and Ondo States.
“The CSOs, on their part, pledged support for the police and other agencies involved in election security management in the country. They commended the IGP for the existing cordial relationship between the police and the CSOs and also for his quick responses to issues bordering on human rights abuses, sexual and gender-based violence etc.
“They particularly commended the police for the prompt arrest of suspects involved in the gruesome rape and murder of Miss Vera Uwaila in Edo State. They however called for transparency and impartiality by security agencies in the elections,” Mba said.
The IGP, according to the statement, assured the CSOs that the Force will be neutral, apolitical and will provide a level playing ground for all in the elections. He further assured the CSOs of adequate security and enjoined them to assist the Police in identifying impostors who may want to hide under the umbrella of accredited CSOs to foment trouble during the elections.