Kogi, Imo senatorial re-run elections hold today

• APC, PDP Trade Accusations
• IGP Directs Adequate Deployment Of Personnel

The re-run elections for the rescheduled Kogi East and Imo North senatorial zones, as well as two House of Assemble seats hold today.

The Imo North poll was rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following days of protests by some youths.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has directed the Imo and Kogi Commissioners of Police in Imo to ensure adequate deployment of Police personnel for the conduct of the elections.

The directive was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

Awunah said that the security arrangements would also cover the Houses of Assembly re-run elections taking place on the same date in the two states.

He said additional Police Mobile Force personnel, Counter Terrorism Units and Conventional Policemen from the adjoining states had been deployed to the states.

He explained that the measure was aimed at guaranteeing a hitch-free and credible process during the re-run elections.

The spokesman said that the personnel would be deployed to flash points and other strategic locations within the affected senatorial districts, adding that the two CPs were under strict instructions to provide adequate security for INEC staff, election materials and others.

Awunah advised politicians, community leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their supporters, subjects, children and wards to be law abiding, warning that the full weight of the law would be applied on anyone who violated the electoral act or causing violence during the election.

Awunah said the IGP warned all security details to refrain from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the elections.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri had in December last year voided the election of Chief Athan Achonu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the petition of the Accord Party candidate, Mrs. Rita Ibeme, over the non-inclusion of her party’s logo in the polling paper.

Others elected in the affected constituencies lost their seats for obvious reasons.