Rivers Re-run: Police Ban Vip Movement On Election Day

BEVERLY HILLS, March 16, (THEWILL) – The police in Rivers State has placed a ban on eminent citizens regarded as 'Very Important Personalities' (VIPs) from moving beyond their polling station with armed escorts.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad K. Muhammad (DSP), the police also issued a curfew and ordered total restriction of movements between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

“The Rivers State Police Command afternoon due consultation with relevant stakeholders superintending the forthcoming re-run elections on March 19, 2016, in the state has placed outright ban on the use of tricycles, motorcycles and engine speed boat with capacity of 200 horsepower and above, from Friday March 18, 2016 to Sunday March 20, 2016,” he said.

“Now, the police have emphasis that Very Important Personalities are barred from going to any voting centre with their security escorts except for their unarmed orderly only. They are also to desist from moving about from one place to another on Election Day as provided by the Electoral Act. Note that monitoring teams will be moving to ensure strict compliance and arrest security men accompanying any dignitary in such unauthorised manner.

“The Command for the umpteenth time appeals for the continued support and cooperation of members of the public in this regard, to enable the state have a serene electoral process that can be adjudged not only freedom and fair but credible, please.”

The ban on VIPs may be connected to a promise by the former Governor and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to storm Governor Nyesom Wike's ward on Election Day.

Meanwhile, the Governor has declared a two-day public holiday slated for Thursday and Friday to enable the citizens participate in the process.

Story by David Oputah