The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has acting Inspector General of Police, to move the conference and retreat for Senior Police Officers from Imo State to another state.
The party said plans to host the event in Imo State ahead of the November 11 governorship election sends a wrong signal that the Police is in bed with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Hope Uzodimma who is also a candidate in the governorship election.
The PDP national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, who made the claim, accused APC and Governor Uzodimma of plotting to hijack the Police officers retreat to gain an advantage ahead of the election
Ologunagba said it is “inappropriate and against the principle of fairness and neutrality required in a charged election situation as presently existing in Imo State for Governor Uzodimma, the candidate of the APC, to be seen as sponsoring or hosting senior Police officers at this critical period, especially being very close to the election.”
He said PDP and the Imo people are “deeply concerned” over the boast by prominent APC leaders that hosting the Police Conference will enhance their alleged plots to compromise the Police to the advantage of the APC during the election.
“Such APC leaders including those fronting for Governor Uzodimma are boasting that the hosting of the Conference in Imo State will give the Governor access to certain senior Police officers, in furtherance of APC’s alleged bid to compromise security agencies ahead of the election.
“This is more so as APC leaders have on many occasions been seen bragging that they will use security operatives to suppress the people and help the APC subvert and manipulate the electoral process in favour of Governor Uzodimma.
“While the PDP appreciates every effort to enhance security in the Nation and Imo State in particular, the timing and location of the Conference at this period is of grave concern and apprehension to the people of Imo State, Political Parties and Stakeholders in the State.
“Our Party confirms that it has been receiving messages of concerns and apprehension from the people of Imo State since the announcement by the Police to host the Conference in the State under Governor Uzodimma.
“The PDP therefore cautions that hosting the Conference in Imo State under Governor Uzodimma at this period; just few days to the election, is a recipe for crisis as it is capable of pitching the people of Imo State against security agencies.
“Our Party therefore urges the Acting IGP, as a highly experienced and decorated officer, to save the situation and allay the fears of the people by moving the Conference to another State or to a date after the election, if it must be hosted in Imo State.
“This is especially as the provision of security is not by Conference but by intelligence and proactive law enforcement operations.”
The PDP however tasked the Police to protect its image, reaffirm its impartiality and neutrality in the election by moving the conference to another State or another date after the Imo governorship election.
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