The Plateau state Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka has assured the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Plateau state, Dr. Oliver Tersoo Agundu, that it is their duty to ensure adequate security for all INEC staff and the general public, as they go about their constitutional duties.
Speaking at the state headquarters of the Plateau state command when he received the Honourable REC on a courtesy call, the Commissioner of Police admitted that both INEC and the Police have a crucial task, ahead of the general election, even as the atmosphere is already charged with election activities. As such, his office is willing to cooperate with INEC so as to offer all the necessary support towards ensuring a peaceful general election, come 2023.
CP Onyeka also hinted that he has already directed all Area Commands in the state to ensure maximum security in all INEC offices at the local government level; owing to the rising activities of hoodlums recently seen in the burning of INEC offices in some parts of the country. He therefore, urged the REC to find out from all his EOs if they are satisfied with the present security arrangement, otherwise, his attention should be drawn for further necessary action.
In his statement of intention for the visit, Dr. Agundu sought the cooperation of officers and men of the command even in the area of escorting election materials to and from their various points of usage.
The Hon. REC intimated the Commissioner of Police that, few weeks ago, the state INEC headquarters took delivery of four trailer-load of non-sensitive materials, and just two days ago; the remaining three hundred and sixty two thousand, four hundred and sixty five (362,465) PVCs of those who registered this year as well as cases of transfers and replacements were received and ready for onward distribution. He also mentioned that the distribution of BVAS machines across the nation has commenced and those of Plateau state are being expected any time soon.
He went on to reaffirm the credibility of the BVAS technology; stating that it is the most valuable and unprecedented innovation as far as the history of election in Nigeria is concerned and it has proven to be the ideal, based on the outcome of the recently conducted elections in some states. He concluded that he and his team are determined to deliver an election that the people of Plateau and Nigeria at large, will be proud of.
