By Thompson Yamput
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Wednesday again called on President Bola Tinubu to help facilitate the transfer of Kogi DSS Director and the Commissioner of Police (CP) of the state.
The party, in a statement issued in Lokoja by Mr Isaiah Ijele, the Director of New Media Muri/Sam Campaign Council, accused the duo of complicity in the political crises in the state.
Ijele said: “In response to these distressing developments, the SDP Campaign Council held a meeting this morning in Lokoja, and have passed a vote of No Confidence on Mr Tosin Ajayi, DSS director, and Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Bethrand.”
“We hereby call for their immediate transfer from Kogi State. We firmly believe in the principles of freedom of association and choice in Nigeria.
“This is because it has come to our knowledge that Tosin, and Bethrand who are supposed to maintain professionalism in their respective duties, had become nothing more than a puppet in the hands of Gov. Yahaya Bello.
“According to a reliable source, the duo have started to arrest prominent leaders and stakeholders of SDP in recent times.”
The SDP stressed that: “Some of the names forwarded to them as collated from the Local Government Chairmen for arrest includes; H.E Sheiqh Ibrahim, Hon. Ahmed Attah, Hon. Hassan Yakubu Enape, Hon. John Aduga, Hon. Ahmed Muhammed Sani, along with other key members of the Party.
“All these acrimony is against us in preparation for the off-cycle election in Kogi State scheduled for Nov. 11.
“We, however, advise that the governor should focus on promoting his unpopular candidate instead of resorting to violence and intimidation against the opposition.
“At this critical juncture, we find ourselves helpless and implore President Bola Tinubu to intervene and save us from the lawlessness exhibited by Bello.”
The SDP media director also underrscored the need for a “peaceful, transparent, free and fair election. This is not too much to ask for.”
Reacting, the Kogi Commissioner of Police denied ever taken any instructions from the governor to arrest any stakeholder of SDP or any other political party in the state.
“Only two persons that I know have been handed over to us, the police, by DSS, who are suspected to be involved in the Koton Karfe political violence that resulted in the death of a woman.
“Aside those two we have not effected any arrest in some of the local governments areas SDP claimed we have. Please and please SDP should stop using propaganda to spoil my good image and reputation.
“As a Commissioner of Police, my prayer is that I see to peace and progress of the state and not collude with any person or political party to create any problem.
“The Nov. 11 governorship election is fast approaching and we are preparing to give adequate security before, during and after the election,” Bethrand assured.
However, the director of DSS or the command is yet to respond to the allegations.
Similarly, the state Information Commissioner, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, kept rejecting his calls for response on the allegations raised by the SDP and declined all text and WhatsApp messages sent sentim. (NAN)
