Buhari directs reinstatement of Obiano’s aides

Ahead of the November 18th gubernatorial election in Anambra State, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate reinstatement of the security aides of the state Governor, Willie Obiano.

Recall that the Inspector General of Police, ( IGP) Ibrahim Idris, had on Tuesday withdrew the governor’s security aides on the ground of providing a level playing field for all the governorship candidates, ahead of the polls in the state.

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A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Joshak Habila to restore Obiano’s aides.

The IGP who has mobilized 26,000 policemen to Anambra ahead of the election, had also given orders to security details attached to VIPs to avoid accompanying their principals to the polling booths.

The order, according to the IGP, was to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the election that is hotly contested amongst 37 candidates.

Adesina said the governor had while welcoming the President on arrival Wednesday in Awka, for the Grand Finale of the All Progressives Congress Governorship Rally, complained about the withdrawal of his security aides.

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Before departing Awka, President Buhari directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Joshak Habila to ensure the return of the governor’s security personnel.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission ( INEC) Mahmoud Yakub, was sighted at the Presidential Villa, late Wednesday evening.

It was however not immediately clear why he visited as he refused all entreaties by State House Correspondents to speak on his visit to the Presidential Villa.

After over one hour meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the INEC chairman declined to speak on the purpose of his visit.

 

Tony Ailemen, Abuja