TheCable

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, says the state has petitioned the inspector-general of police (IGP), to ensure that politicians are restricted to their polling units during the governorship election in the state.

Wike spoke on Thursday during a state broadcast in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers.

The governor said the state filed the petition because there were plans by politicians to parade suspected thugs to disrupt the election.

“We have noticed that the anti-terrorism unit of the state police command continues to provide VIP security services to politicians in defiance of the inspector general’s order to withdraw all police personnel attached to VIPs during the elections,” he said.

“We, therefore, request the inspector-general of police to enforce his order by ensuring that all political leaders are restricted to their polling units and prevented from moving about with police escort.

Wike said the state expects the security operatives to be professional throughout the election.

The governor also declared Friday as a public holiday to enable voters to travel to their communities ahead of the Saturday poll.