PANDEF, Igbo Youths Differ on IG’s Withdrawal of Police Personnel Escorting VIPs
The apex socio-cultural organisation of the Niger Delta region, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL) have expressed opposing views on the recent directive by police authorities withdrawing all police escorts to Senators, House of Representatives members, Speakers and other political office holders in the South-east.
Which PANDF has backed the suspension of police personnel from escorting VIPs, in the Southeast, and some South-south states, the Igbo youths have condemned the decision, saying it would expose their leaders to harm.
The National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ebok-Essien who spoke yesterday in Uyo explained that it was wrong in the first place for representatives of the people to be going with police escorts.
His words, “In the first place I never subscribe for the police escorting VIPs or anybody. I never supported the idea. And it is not right. If you are representing the people, and you are acceptable by the people, you should be free with the people. “You don’t need to carry people with arms to protect you. Sometimes, you observe that somebody doesn’t move with an escort before, but once you are elected or appointed, suddenly you start going with the Police. Why must we go with the police?
“For me, a representative of the people should not be scared of the people he or she is representing. Representatives of the people should be free with the people that they are representing.”
The PANDEF Chair advocated the amendment of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, to allow states to operate State and Local government police.
On its part, COSEYL condemned the recent directive by the police authorities.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri, Imo State capital, the coalition leader, Mr. Goodluck Ibem who faulted the directive said the zone at this point in time needed security the most.
He argued that the directive was a calculated attempt to expose the political office holders in South-east to harms and attacks by hoodlums and unknown gunmen.