● Warn politicians against violent activities
By Abisoye Gbemiga, Abuja
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Imo State, the police high command has issued stern warning to politicians in the state, who lost during the national assembly elections held earlier this year to eschew violence, as eagle eye detectives have been placed on red alert to monitor such persons.
Police operatives have also advised such desperate politicians in Ahiara, Mbaise and Mbano against indulging in violent activities and “political vendetta”, as police authorities are set to clamp down on them.
According to police sources, there have been reports of suspicious moves by some aggrieved politicians who lost during the national and state assemblies elections to attack political appointees of Mbaise extraction and aides of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Some of these politicians who had held political offices at the federal and state levels in the past, were alleged to have been recruiting ‘miscreants’ that would launch attacks on their perceived political rivalries even within their political parties.
According to the agency report, some of these desperate politicians from Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise, Mbano, were alleged to have vowed to “use any means possible to fight those they believe were instrumental to their loss in the national assembly elections.
“We are monitoring them. We are fully aware of all their meetings and discussions with their agents but we will not fold our hands and watch them carry out their sordid acts,” the report quoted a top DSS official as saying.
However, he warned such disgruntled politicians to have a change of mind or face the full wrath of the law.
“If you lost today, you can win tomorrow. Why resort to political vendettas. Why not wait for another day.”
“As the November Governorship election in Imo is fast approaching, we have beefed up security because of the series of meetings within and outside the state capital, Owerri; particularly at the ward and local government levels. So we urge all politicians to be law abiding and desit from any unlawful act.
“We have also increased foot and vehicle patrol, and our officers have been placed on surveillance at strategic location in Imo,” he revealed.