Gombe: PDP Governorship Campaign Council Demands Reversal of Checkpoints Dismantling
Rebecca Mu’azu, Gombe.
The Gombe State Campaign Council of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the state government to reverse the directive to dismantle all security checkpoints within the state.
While addressing journalists in Gombe, the spokesperson of the Gombe State PDP Campaign Council, Mr. Ayuba Aluke, said the council made the demand in the overall interests of peace and security of the residents before, during and after the Governorship and State Assembly Elections.
It will be recalled that the state government had on Monday, March 6, 2023 given the order for the immediate dismantling of all security checkpoints within Gombe state, after a consultative meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.
The Gombe State Commissioner of Police Oqua Etim had explained that checkpoints were removed to avert what he described as a “national embarrassment”.
Etim had, however, clarified that checkpoints would still be operational from 12 a.m to 6 a.m, adding that their removal would curb the impression that they had become tollgates where motorists were extorted by corrupt cops.
Nevertheless, the PDP believed the timing of the directive was questionable and suspicious, especially at a critical period of heightened election activities, with the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections by the corner.
It also called on the President Muhammadu Buhari and relevant security agencies to deploy adequate resources to Gombe state to forestall any breakdown of law and order, which the dismantling of the checkpoints might cause.
“So far, we have petitioned these authorities with respect to this development, and we believe they will act appropriately to sustain the peace and security of Gombe state,”Mr. Aluke said.
He also called on the people of Gombe state to stay calm, peaceful, law-abiding, report suspicious movements, and turn out in their numbers and vote for candidates of their choice.
Similarly, he charged both foreign and local election observers and civil society organizations not to be discouraged by the removal of the security checkpoints, but to be resolute in carrying out their functions of observing and monitoring the elections without any fear.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
