Bayelsa poll: Group accuses Gov Diri of ignorance of police’s role in elections

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Bayelsa Professional Forum, (BPF), has described as unfortunate Governor Duoye Diri’s comment on the role of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF) during elections.
The Secretary, BPF, Philip Erepa, in a statement in Yenagoa said he watched with dismay during a live youth programme where the governor, in his remarks, suggested that the police had no responsibility during elections.
He said Diri, who alluded to the matter already before a court, an action he said is subjudice, claimed that the police had no responsibility to stand as a witness in a case on an election they monitored and secured.
He accused the governor of making some damaging remarks against the Commissioner of Police, CP Alausa, and other respected patrons of the state and the country.
He said by his statement, Diri was trying to preempt the court in his bid to truncate a legal process challenging his declaration as a governor.
Erepa said: “We have watched with utter dismay Governor of Bayelsa State Senator Douye Diri, in a live youth Programme making an ignorant remark suggesting that the police have no assigned responsibilities during elections in the country.
“Diri needs to be educated that as protectors of the elections, the police monitor and secure the entire process and can also be called upon to stand as witnesses in any court process involving such elections.
“What Diri and his co travellers fail to understand is that the police have statutory responsibility in the conduct of elections in Nigeria, they are the only security outfit with that responsibility. The role of the police is to secure the election. That is why you find a police man in each of the polling units.
“We are also baffled that Diri out of his frustration made disparaging remarks against the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Alausa for simply doing his job. Diri should be told that his utterance on a matter, which is subjudiced, is an affront on the judiciary and an attempt to preempt the court.
“We find Diri’s recent comments as an attempt to harass not just a decorated member of the Nigeria Police Force but the entire Nigeria Police Force”