Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Suleiman Balarabe
The Inter‑Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State a 24‑hour ultimatum to permit political parties to inspect the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines. Representing 18 registered political parties, the umbrella group warned that elections would not proceed in the state unless the BVAS machines were inspected. In the same statement, IPAC called for the redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Balarabe, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Operations, Frank Idu, ahead of the elections.
IPAC delivered the ultimatum on Monday through a statement read at a news conference by state chairman Anthony Bissong, outlining its demands for a credible election. Bissong said, “We give INEC and the Resident Electoral Commissioner 24 hours to allow political parties to inspect the BVAS and to record the IMEI numbers of the 3,281 machines, so as to restore confidence in the commission. We also call on the National Chairman of INEC to authorise a thorough investigation of the commission’s activities in Cross River State.”
Regarding the request to replace the Commissioner of Police, Bissong added, “We want the next CP, upon resumption of duty, to carry out a comprehensive reshuffling of Divisional Police Officers across the state, especially in Cross River North, which has become a major flashpoint of political violence.”
In response, Commissioner Balarabe said, “I have no ill intention towards anyone in Cross River. I will remain impartial in the discharge of my duties and maintain professionalism in all my activities.”
IPAC also urged the 18 political parties to intensify their campaigns, conduct themselves civilly, and demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship after the election.
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Rescuing Abia: My Mission, APC Gov Candidate Says
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, lamented the dilapidated condition of the state and declared his mission to rescue and develop it. Speaking in Umukabia Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA, on Sunday evening after unveiling his manifesto, Emenike said, “My mission draws on many years of experience. My goal for Abia is to transform it into a world‑class state after 24 years of decay. We will do it, and we are capable. The air, the trees, the environment—everything in the state is complaining.”
When questioned by reporters, Emenike added, “We need a government that creates jobs for Abia’s children with a robust budget of about N5 billion; the current N1.9 billion will keep the state in poverty. There will be an opportunity to do something different.”
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