Kwara govt accuses IGP of working against democracy

The Kwara State Government has raised the alarm over the redeployment
of nine divisional police officers (DPOs) in Kwara South Senatorial
District of the state by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim
Idris.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed's Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Communications, in a statement on Tuesday said the redeployment ahead
of the 17 November 2018 by-election in the Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Irepodun
and Isin Federal Constituency, strongly suggests a ploy by the police
authorities to thwart democratic polls.

He said: "Specifically, we are strongly concerned that the hasty
redeployment is intended to pave way for DPOs who will be unfamiliar
with Kwara South and will, therefore, be unable to prevent voter
intimidation and disenfranchisement such as reportedly perpetrated in
the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections.

"Additionally, this redeployment is a clear indication of the desire
by the IGP to scuttle the elections especially when there's no
credible threat from any quarters.

"We call on the Presidency to restrain the IGP from carrying out this
latest act of impunity which is capable of subverting our democracy.

"Nigerians are also alerted to this fresh attempt by the IGP to
frustrate Nigerians' free democratic expression through a regime of
fear and intimidation."