PANDEF, Igbo Youths Differ on IG’s Withdrawal of Police Personnel Escorting VIPs

PANDEF, Igbo Youths Differ on IG’s Withdrawal of Police Personnel Escorting VIPs

The apex socio-cultural organisation of the Niger Delta region, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL) have expressed opposing views on the recent directive by police authorities withdrawing all police escorts to Senators, House of Representatives members, Speakers and other political office holders in the South-east.

Which PANDF has backed the suspension of police personnel from escorting VIPs, in the South-east, and some South-south states, the Igbo youths have condemned the decision, saying it would expose their leaders to harm.

The National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ebok-Essien who spoke yesterday in Uyo explained that it was wrong in the first place for representatives of the people to be going with police escorts.

His words, “In the first place I never subscribe for the police escorting VIPs or anybody. I never supported the idea. And it is not right. If you are representing the people, and you are acceptable by the people, you should be free with the people. “You don’t need to carry people with arms to protect you. Sometimes, you observe that somebody doesn’t move with an escort before, but once you are elected or appointed, suddenly you start going with the Police. Why must we go with the police?

“For me, a representative of the people should not be scared of the people he or she is representing. Representatives of the people should be free with the people that they are representing.”

The PANDEF Chair advocated the amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to allow states to operate State and Local government police.

On its part, COSEYL condemned the recent directive by the police authorities.

Speaking to journalists in Owerri, Imo State capital, the coalition leader, Mr. Goodluck Ibem who faulted the directive said the zone at this point in time needed security the most.

He argued that the directive was a calculated attempt to expose the political office holders in South-east to harms and attacks by hoodlums and unknown gunmen.

“Though we condemn in its totality the recent attacks on security formations in the south-east zone, especially the police force by unknown gunmen, it is not appropriate to give such directive to police commands only in the South East and Rivers State when the entire country is faced with the same security threats and challenges.

“Just two days ago, jihadists killed 31 soldiers in North-east, Governor Babagana Zulum the executive governor of Borno State has been attacked severally by Boko Haram terrorists and his security details have not been withdrawn, then why the sudden directive in South-east and Rivers State?

“This stern and punitive decision by the National Security Council and subsequent directive by the police force proves that the police force is parochial in handling a serious matter as national security,” he said.

He described the decision as marginalisation and victimisation, adding that the National Security requires a holistic approach rather than being given an ethnic or regional colouration.

“Removing their security details will bring more problems in the country. We need to remind the National Security Council and the police authorities that political office holders are not optional but constitutional. It is mandatory that the political office holders must be protected by the security agencies paid with taxpayers’ money.

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