By Sam Jones, Yenagoa
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Women numbering hundreds all dressed in black have marched on the state headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Yenagoa demanding the redeployment of the Police Commissioner, Mr. Tolani Alausa.
The placard carrying crowd which included some men on Thursday also called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure peaceful and nonviolent election on November 11.
The placards had inscriptions such as “IG-The Police must be neutral”; “Change CP Alausa for a violent free poll”; “We say No to CP Alausa”; “Give us new CP” and “We don’t want Tolani Alausa”.
Mrs. Alice Daniels, a protester, told newsmen, “All we are asking for is a violence free election in the state. Is that a big thing to ask from those who are supposed to be responsible for protecting us? Why can’t the police be neutral in this election?
“Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace. We want a non-violence exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us vote who we want. This shouldn’t be like other elections where people manipulate election with the assistance of the police.”
Another protester, Mrs. Timitimi Ebipador, who described herself as a human rights activist, appealed to the state police command to properly oversee the electoral process saying a neutral police is a guarantee for a non violent exercise.
He words: “We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election, we want an exercise devoid of violence. You are responsible for the provision of security of our lives and that should be your duty, and not interfere in the election itself.
“No blood of any Bayelsan is worth the blood of any politician. Do all it takes for a non violent election; we beg you to protect us. I call for a peaceful election. We want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.
“We have experienced it on several occasions. In 2019, 2015 it was marred by violence and till this moment nobody was prosecuted and jailed for violence”, she stated.
Addressing the protesters, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Mr. Daniel Sokari-Pedro, assured them of peaceful elections come Saturday.
Sokari-Pedro also assured that officers and men of the police would adhere to all measures for a smooth conduct of the election and also display professionalism.
He promised that the election would be different from others marred by violence like in 2015 and 2019 saying, “We have heard your agitations and we will ensure a peaceful conduct of the exercise before and after.
“I just addressed stakeholders of the various parties and other state actors that the election will be peaceful. 2023 is not 2019 and 2015.
“We have put all measures together for a peaceful process. All security architecture are in place. Also pass the information to your people in various communities to let peace reign.
“Without peace there will be no development in our communities. We have to avoid unnecessary confrontations with people this election season.”
