Different versions of stories are trailing Imo State Government decision to hand over police-colour painted Sienna vehicles to men of the Nigeria police, Imo State command.
The state government it would be recalled claimed it made available about 100 vehicles to police for reasons.
But there are allegations in certain quarters in the state that instead of giving the said 100 sienna vehicles to police, about 40 were made available to police raising suspicion that they remaining may be for another purpose the public is yet to ascertain.
A popular blogger in the state, Ifeanyi CY Njoku had in an online news Trumpeta stumbled into claimed that part of the vehicles have been allegedly handed over to suspected various security formations of the state government.
According to the online news, the state sponsored security outfits would be deployed to use the vehicles to assist the candidates of the governor during the elections under police cover up.
Part of the fears was the allegation that the vehicles would be allegedly used to harass, intimidate and confuse Imo citizens to facilitate rigging of the governorship election in favour of the state government backed candidates, especially, the AA governorship candidate, Chief Uche Nwosu.
According to Ifeanyi CY Njoku “Collaborating our findings, the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Ihedioha Campaign Organization through their new media directorate has alleged fear over the clandestine move by the Okorocha led rescue mission administration to use branded official police vehicle to rig election and perpetuate his 3rd term agenda through his Son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Alliance, AA.
Director New Media, Ihedioha Campaign Organization, Aic Akwarandu writing on his social media handle said:
“The plan is to use the remaining branded vehicles to monitor elections with their own “men”.
The State police command must investigate this particular information and ensure that it will not happen on the day of Election.
“Imo People are very determined about this election. No election has gained awareness like this. Even the woman in the village understands that she needs to be sure of her result before going home after voting.
“Anybody planning to do anything other than free and fair election is inviting anarchy. Imolites are peaceful people. But you don’t take them for a ride.
“Their Votes Must count. The truth is that the State Government branded more Siena cars than it donated to the State police command.”
“Our findings revealed that in previous elections in Imo, commissioner’s of Police always make official pronouncement banning Imo state government para-military structures like IMO SECURITY NETWORK , IMO CIVIL GUARDS , etc, from carrying firearms and participating in the general election, but the current Imo Police command has been silent on such orders”.
“There are fears in some quarters that many thugs working for the rescue mission government, especially the ‘AREA BOYS’ that move around with a siren Camry car tagged IMGH security will wear police uniform on the election day. It’s imperative the police high command look at the issues raised critically and find a very pragmatic way to deal with them, spread their dragnet and intelligence to forestall breakdown of law and order and ensure safety of Imo citizens, as well as guaranteeing free, fair and credible elections come February 23rd and March 9th, 2019,” Ifeanyi Cy Njoku added in the report.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, speak on the matter proved abortive before press time.
