The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has raised alarm over the sudden withdrawal of his security details, saying such action has exposed his life to danger.

Obiano raised the alarm on Tuesday at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, during an election stakeholders meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He described the withdrawal of his security details as unacceptable and a dangerous signal on what was to happen ahead of the governorship election.

He demanded for the immediate return of the security details in order not to constitute further threats capable of overheating the polity.

“I want my security details returned immediately because I am going to start a fight from there. I am the governor of Anambra State and all the paraphernalia of my office must be there.

“This is unacceptable and a sign of what will happen. Those behind this would be disappointed because we are very ready for the election,” he insisted.

According to the governor, he had wanted to speak with the Inspector General of Police, Idris Mohammed, who was scheduled to be at the occasion, but said he had to voice it out in the event since he was not aware when he would come.

The governor had earlier complained of having not been accorded recognition by the moderator when he walked in, despite several insistence.

But reacting, the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the event was a stakeholders’ meeting, and as such no candidate would be accorded any special treatment regardless of his position.

He said the commission insists on equal treatment of all candidates in the election and should not only have equal standing, but must be respected.

With barely three days to the November 18 governorship election in the state, the Nigeria Police high command has redeployed the Anambra State Police boss, Umar Abubakar. It also redeployed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations, DCP in charge of Administration, ACP in charge of Administration, the state officer in charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in addition to the police aides of Obiano.

Three commissioners of police were deployed by IGP Idris to effectively monitor the election.

Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), confirmed the removal of the Anambra police boss and other top officials, calling it “a routine in the police”.

He said: “The commissioner of police in charge of commands are asked to step aside in any governorship election and another CP would be posted. He would return back to his office immediately after the election. Three commissioners of police would be deployed to monitor the 3 senatorial zones in the state.

“It would not be right now to disclose the names of the 3 commissioners of police now, but you would know later.”

•Pieced together from reports by Daily Trust and The Guardian.

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