Hundreds of women on Thursday, besieged the offices of the Bayelsa State Police Command, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, CP, Tolani Alausa.
Black-clad demonstrators demanded that President Bola Tinubu and IGP Kayode Egbetokun work together to guarantee a trouble-free election in the state.
The women held signs reading, “IG- The Police must be neutral,” “Change CP Alausa for a violence free poll,” “We say No to CP Alausa,” and “Give us new CP, we don’t want Tolani Alausa.”
Madam Alice Daniels, one of the demonstrators, stated, “All we are asking for is a violent free election in the state. Is it too much to ask from the people whose job it is to keep us safe? In this election, why can’t the police just stay out of it?
Please let us peacefully choose our candidates. We insist on a peaceful workout. The cops need to ensure our safety and let us vote for whoever we want. Elections shouldn’t be manipulated with police help like they have been in the past.
Addressing the demonstrators, the DIG, South South, Sokari Pedro, promised them of a calm conduct of the poll on Saturday.
He promised a calm pre- and post-workout environment, saying, “We have heard your agitations and will ensure a peaceful conduct of the exercise.”
I have just assured the various parties and state actors that the upcoming election will proceed without incident.
Unlike the years 2019 and 2015, “2023 is not 2019 and 2015, we have put all measures together for a peaceful process.”
Mismob Media