Be Neutral, Protect Rivers People, Amaechi Tells New CP …‘Political Rallies Remain Banned’

Governor Chibuike Amaechi has adviced the  new state Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin  to steer clear of politics to succeed in his new assignment.
Amaechi gave the charge yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt, when he played host to Mr. Ogunsakin, who was last week posted to the state to replace Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.
The Rivers State governor, who recalled that the state had had several commissioners of police in his administration before Mr Mbu came, noted that  it was hectic challenge to return the state to normalcy during the heat of the militancy period.
He expressed worry that the criminal elements who were driven away in 2007 were returning to the state, and urged him to rise to the challenge of restoring the state security status to where it was.
He said   that the state government was ready to cooperate with the police, saying “ whatever it takes to restore order and security, the state is willing to support’, we are willing to buy as much security vehicles as a cost for peace and security.’’
Amaechi also urged him to be non- partisan, saying.  ‘Don’t support PDP, don’t support APC, your support should be for Rivers people”.
He urged the commissioner to remain steadfast and committed to his duty as a professional security personnel stating that what the state needs now is a neutral commissioner of police who will carry out his functions without bias or take directives from any politician.
He used the visit to re-assure the support of the state government in ensuring that the welfare of serving policemen were well taken care of, as he prayed for him to succeed in his duties.
Earlier, Mr Ogunsakin, who read a speech, assured the governor that the police was ready to partner with all strata of society, including established institutions. “ It is my conviction that together we shall deliver qualitative policing services to the government and people of Rivers State, he said.
He promised to commence wide consultations and meetings with the various stakeholders with a view to addressing grey areas of disagreements.
” The issues in Rivers State are of public knowledge and peculiar for some obvious political interests, but they can be addressed,’’ Ogunsakin declared.
“ There shall be a paradigm shift in addressing those issues based on the peculiar situation in the state for  the benefit of all stakeholders. This is more so as every group in the state wants to demonstrate political strength by regularly holding public assembly, political rallies, public protests, processions and so on’’, he said.
“ I want to use this medium to sound a note of warning to all criminals in the state to either have a change of mind and become law abiding citizens or relocate from Rivers State immediately. This is so because they shall be made to face the full wrath of the law, as there will be no hiding place for them,’’ the new police chief warned.
Meanwhile, the new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Tunde Ogunsakin has assured duties in the state with a promise to discharge his duties professionally to the satisfaction of the government and people of the state.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Ogunsakin said he had paid a courtesy visit to the state Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, adding that the reception accorded to him by the State Chief Executive was warm and gives hope of a cordial working relationship.
According to him, his mission in the state is to enforce law, maintain peace and order and ensure a crime-free society for the purpose of enabling good governance and conducive atmosphere for economic activities.
“As the Commissioner of Police, I am on a national assignment to enforce and maintain law and order in the state. I want to assure you that I shall discharge my duties professionally to the satisfaction of the government and good people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large. “By my training as a professional law enforcement officer, I will deploy my expertise to manage the affairs of Rivers State Police Command in the best possible professional manner”, he declared.
Speaking on the political situation in the state, Mr. Ogunsakin said  that as a law enforcement officer, his role will be to insist that political activities in the state are carried out within the ambits of the law.
He posited that nobody will be allowed to take the laws into his or her hands under the cloak or guise of political activities, adding that in accordance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, political rallies are not allowed to hold or commence in any part of Nigeria until 90 days preceding the date of the election, insisting that the state is not exception.
The state commissioner police, however, stated that any person (s), political associations, pressure groups who intend to hold any public gathering in the state must give the police not less than five days notice to enable the police provide adequate security and protection to them.
According to him, it is important to emphasise that the duty to provide adequate security is imposed on the police by statutes, including the Police Act and Electoral Act, particularly Section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act.

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) flanked by officials and team members of the CHAN Super Eagles at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday