From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Inspector-General of Police IGP, Mr. Kayode, Egbetokun, on Monday, read the riot act to perpetrators of electoral violence to steer clear of Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The police boss, who gave the warning during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, said the force and other security agencies were fully ready and duty bound to ensure free and fair poll in the state and that troublemakers would be made to face the full weight of the law.

He explained that his visit was in respect of the election and assured that the police was neutral.

While calling on Bayelsans to have confidence in the police, he emphasized that the increased deployment of its personnel in the state was in order to forestall any violence during the poll.

The IGP thanked Governor Douye Diri for his support to the state police command and assured him of adequate security before, during and after the election.

He said: “Your Excellency, you are aware that the election is just four days away. I want to assure you that the police, with the assistance of other security agencies, will provide adequate security for the election on November 11.

“In Bayelsa State, and in the other two states where the election will be taking place, I want to say with confidence that the police and other security agencies have taken a position to be neutral in this election.

“However, those with criminal intention to disrupt the election in Bayelsa will meet our men on ground. They will have the whole of us to contend with.”

Responding, the Bayelsa State Governor said the pledge of the IGP to provide adequate security for the election was an added advantage to the peace and security the state already enjoyed.

On the call by the police boss on Governor Diri to appeal to his party’s supporters to be non-violent, the Bayelsa helmsman responded that PDP members and supporters were the most peaceful in the buildup to the election.

He said his government and Bayelsans were ready to support the police to achieve zero violence during the poll.

Governor Diri also noted that if a sitting president could lose and accept the outcome of his election without shedding blood, then no one should toy with the lives of Bayelsans because of the election.

He also urged people of the state not to be deterred by the large deployment of security personnel or for it to result in voter apathy but rather it should boost their confidence to cast their votes and be assured that their ballot would count and be protected.

He said: “Your remarks were heartwarming and I like to quote you when you said the police will be neutral in this election on Saturday.

“I quote you again. You said the police and other security agencies are committed to a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election in Bayelsa. That is what our people want to hear.

“If there is any governor who deserves an award for being peaceful and promoting peace among his people, that award should go to me. And my supporters of the PDP are the most peaceful set of people you can find anywhere.

“For us as a government, we are very ready to work with you very closely and even provide support where you ask for as well as to ensure that we do not lose any life or anybody maimed because of elections.”

Diri congratulated the IGP on his appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate and thanked him for the visit, which according to him was his first to the state since he assumed office as the police boss.