The Police Public Relations Officer for the Police Team in charge of the Anambra State Governorship Election DSP Nkeiruka Nwode has confirmed the replacement of DIG Joseph Egbunike with AIG Zaki Ahmed.
Although Nwode who made the confirmation via a telephone interview with our correspondent, said the removal of DIG Joseph Egbunike will not in any way affect the credibility and conduct of the governorship election slated for Saturday November 6, 2021.
Nwode said, “The replacement of DIG Joseph Egbunike is true but it is not going to affect the credibility or security of the election.”
She said it was false for anyone to contemplate that the police will soil its reputation to favour any candidate in the governorship election, stressing that journalists should be professional and fair in reporting security related issues regarding the election.
Meanwhile reports from the grapevine has it that, “There is palpable fear in Anambra State over tomorrow’s gubernatorial election following the unannounced removal of Deputy Inspector General Joseph Egbunike as head of the special police team providing security to the state which has in recent months faced security challenges from the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).”
No reason has been given for the removal.
The new team leader is Assistant Inspector General Zaki M. Ahmed, until now the second in command to DIG Egbunike who hails from Anambra State and oversees the five police commands in the Southeast.
Egbunike’s sudden replacement is causing anxiety in Anambra State where opposition politicians have been accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC), the national government party, of attempting to impose its controversial candidate, Andy Uba, a former senator, on the people.”
