Ondo 2020: We will not allow 1983 crisis to repeat itself

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Police Command, CP Salami Bolaji says, officers and men of Ondo State Police Command under his supervision will remain professional, apolitical and impartial in their commitments during and after the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship election.

He stated this while receiving a delegation of YIAGA Africa Initiative who paid him a courtesy visit to ascertain the level of preparedness for the 2020 Ondo Gubernatorial election.

Salami said Ondo Police Command is fully prepared for the 2020 Governorship election, stating, ‘’even if it is now, we are ready as we have all the required logistics and manpower set for the exercise’’

CP Salami said, contrary to some insinuations that the Command may not be prepared as a result of the much impact of COVID19 in the country; the Police under his watch is prepared to provide absolute security to all the political parties in the race, their followers as well as all other participants in the electoral assignment.

He said Ondo State Police Command under his policing architecture is way off from the thought of the 1983 election saga in Ondo State where lives and property were destroyed.

He said “If anyone thinks he will bring back the hand of time to read the 1983 episode of political violence in Ondo State, then he must be ready to bear the burden of his action.”

According to CP Bolaji, Ondo State Police Command is ready to work with all relevant bodies to ensure the success of the election.

‘’We are ready to provide adequate security to INEC officials and their materials to ensure nothing untoward happens during and after the elections’’

In her response, Cynthia Mbamalu, who spoke on behalf of YIAGA Africa said, they were in the office of the Commissioner of Police to congratulate him on his new role, but most importantly to discuss the important role Ondo Police Command would play to ensure a violence-free Ondo 2020 governorship election.

She further said they were glad that CP Salami said he has had fruitful discussions with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the civil society groups and all other relevant groups on ways to secure the success of the forthcoming election without violence and other obstructing political forces.

According to her, YIAGA’s role as an Observer group, among other functions, is to see that the Police maintain an impartial stance with all stakeholders in order to achieve a hitch-free, fair and credible Ondo Governorship election come October 2020.