Amaechi’s threat to dare Wike’s ward on Election Day: Police ban VIP movement on Saturday

The police have banned those regarded as Very Important Personalities (VIPs) from moving beyond their polling station or moving with armed escorts.

This came amid verbal warfare whereby the former governor and minister of transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, promised to storm the governor’s ward on Election Day, probably to show that hoodlums would not have free day on that day.

Governor Nyesom Wike had reacted, saying the minister had no right to go about or monitor elections. This matter had happened during the past election when the governor was attacked by youths who accused him of breaching electoral regulations by moving about.

Now, the police have emphasis that Very Important Personalities are barred from going to any voting centre with their security escorts except for their unarmed orderly only. “They are also to desist from moving about from one place to another on Election Day as provided by the Electoral Act. Note that monitoring teams will be moving to ensure strict compliance and arrest security men accompanying any dignitary in such unauthorised manner”.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad K. Muhammad (DSP), added: “The Rivers State Police Command afternoon due consultation with relevant stakeholders superintending the forthcoming re-run elections on March 19, 2016, in the state has placed outright ban on the use of tricycles, motorcycles and engine speed boat with capacity of 200 horsepower and above, from Friday March 18, 2016 to Sunday March 20, 2016.”

The police talked about total restriction of movements between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2016. “The Command for the umpteenth time appeals for the continued support and cooperation of members of the public in this regard, to enable the state have a serene electoral process that can be adjudged not only freedom and fair but credible, please.”