Police warn Amaechi against LG political campaigns *Rivers State Govt denies Rivers state Police Commissioner, Tunde Ogunsakin, on Tuesday frowned at (Amaechi’s) political speeches during his tour of local governments which he insisted constituted electioneering campaigns. Ogunsakin spoke during an interaction with newsmen at the police command headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt. This was the second time in less than one week Ogunsakin would express dissatisfaction with statements credited to Amaechi and activities of politicians and youth groups during the Governors’ tour of the local government areas. While reiterating the earlier ban on political activities in the state, Ogunsakin said “the police has observed with dismay that some political office holders have begun flouting the earlier ban under the guise of local government familiarisation tours or courtesy visits to local governments in the state. “Particular reference is made herewith of some youth organisations that have hijacked such visits or tours and turned them into full scale political rallies. “The command unequivocally warns that anybody caught in this act will be decisively dealt with within the ambits of the law. “The ban on political campaigns, especially unauthorised gatherings of people who directly or indirectly advance the aspirations of politicians or political parties is premised on the strength of the Electoral Act,” the police boss said. But the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Ibim Semenitari, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that “the Rivers State Government is worried about the tone of the statement credited to CP Ogunshakin and concerned about the implication of the same. “For the purposes of clarification and emphasis, the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi considers participation a key element of democratic rule and good governance. “As a result, it has consistently embarked on stewardship accountability fora and stock taking since Governor Amaechi assumed office in October 2007. “Town hall meetings, meet the people tours and engagement with professional groups and other publics is neither novel nor strange with the Amaechi regime. “The alleged comments of the CP appear curious, especially coming on the heels of the overtly political purported endorsement on Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, for governor by some members of the Rumueprikom community and the visit of the wife of the President to local government areas in Rivers State. “While the purpose of these obvious political gatherings of the PDP is campaign for 2015, CP Ogunshakin appears unable to see or hear any evil. “The Rivers State Government is conscious of this but wishes to reassure CP Ogunshakin that it is not a brigand or an irresponsible government,” the commissioner said. Semenitari further explained that “Governor Amaechi has clearly stated that the purpose of his ward tours is to find out the impact of his numerous projects on the people at the grassroots and what gaps still exist to enable him cross all T’s and dot all the I’s as his administration finishes its last lap”. Semenitari added: “We can state unequivocally that we will not disregard the rules of engagement and that when we are set for campaign, it will be clear not just to the Rivers State Police Command but to the entire world. “We will not hide our glowing light under a bushel; however we would wish to respectfully request CP Ogunshakin to be even handed in his caution and ensure that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gender.” It will be recalled that former Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, had placed the ban on early campaigns in the state before his redeployment to Abuja.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 05:53:01 +0000
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