IGP Withdraws Security Chief, DIG Egbunike, Hours To Anambra Guber Poll
BY EDMOND ODOK – With just hours for the Anambra State governorship election to kick off, the Police hierarchy has approved a minor rejig of its security arrangement with Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Joseph Egbunike stepping down as the head of the security team in charge of the poll.
Reports said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Alkali Baba Usman, has already appointed Acting Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations (DIG), Zaki Ahmed to replace DIG Egbunike for the electoral job.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CP Frank Mba confirmed that DIG Egbunike has been directed to step down, but did not give reasons for the sudden development.
However, sources close to the Louis Edet House Force Headquarters in Abuja said the removal of the experienced senior officer may not be unconnected with the fact that he is an indigene of Anambra State and therefore an ‘interested party’ in the election.
“As a son of the soil, the Police High Command is determined to avoid a situation where the candidates could point accusing fingers at him based on the results of the November 6 gubernatorial poll”, the source told Forefront.
In announcing the sudden change in the leadership structure, Public Relations Officer attached to the Anambra Election Monitoring Team (AEMT), DSP Nkeiruka Nwode assured that the development would not adversely affect the conduct of the election.
On his visit to Anambra State, IGP Alkali Baba had assured residents that the Police have made adequate plans for the security and smooth conduct of the election, adding that the Police personnel do not have any reason to compromise having been fully settled ahead of the special duty in the Southeast state.
