Deji of Akure urges police to be impartial at coming election, as AIG Zone 11 visits
By Kemi Kasumu
The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo Odundun II, has charged the officers and men of the Nigerian Police to be neutral to make the November 26 gubernatorial election in Ondo State a resounding success.
The monarch said the force would be expected to be committed to ensuring peace in the state before, during and after the election.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Mr. Michael Adeyeye, copy of which was made available to The DEFENDER, said Oba Aladelusi gave the charge during the visit of Assistant Inpector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, Mr. Dan Bature, to the Deji’s Palace in Akure, at the weekend.
The statement quoted the Deji to have said that, “There is no doubt that Ondo State has remained peaceful and, in fact, one of the most peaceful states in the country. It is therefore important that the peace being enjoined is sustained during and after the poll.
“I charge the police to do their work dutifully without compromise or bias and most importantly during the election.”
The monarch, however, praised the leadership of the Nigerian Police for a good job and more importantly the on-going reform to sanitise the force and rid it of bad eggs.
The former United States-based industrialist turned monarch equally extolled the virtue of the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison for her selfless service at ridding the state of criminals.
Responding, the visiting AIG, Mr. Dan Bature, thanked Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi for being of assistance to the Nigerian Police especially in the area of dispute resolution which, according to him, had made the work of the police in the state less cumbersome.
He promised that the police would continue to discharge its duties without fear or favour.
His words: “The traditional rulers are very strategic to building a peaceful society and they cannot therefore be undermined if the society must enjoy peace and development.
“I can assure Your Majesty that the police will carry out its duties with the entire professional standard required of it most especially as it affects the forthcoming governorship election,” he said.