By Joe Chukindi, Awka
The Anambra State commissioner of Police Mr Hassan Karma has advised the new Resident Electoral commissioner(REC)of INEC in Anambra, Dr Lawrence Azubuike to shun the overtures of moneybag politicians as that is the only way to succeed in the state.
Karma was reacting to an address by the new REC when he and the INEC team paid him a courtesy visit in his office yesterday.
He said, “Elections here have been highly commercialized, because of heavy weight politicians who are very influential that they can make white to become black. They will come to you, but what I can say is that you know that once INEC declares a result, no one can do anything about it, so all we are saying is that you people should be fair, so that when elections are tendered from the field it will be a reflection of what you announced.
“We must all do a good job, so as to reclaim the glory of our image, we must be neutral at all times. I believe in doing a good job, and no matter the wealth of anyone, I always do what is right, the worst that can happen is that I will be transferred to another state and I will move to another state.
“We have seen many elections, where things were done right and where things were done wrong, but sometimes we are handicapped. As the elections come close, the opponents will begin to call you and make several complaints about this group attacking the other and many others, but you must do the right thing.” The commissioner said.
He assured the REC of the support of the police and stated that the same support which they gave to his predecessor which saw him excel in the previous election, they will also give in the forthcoming election and even more.
Earlier, the REC while addressing the CP had said that he and members of the commission’s management team in the state decided to pay a courtesy call to the police commissioner to seek his support in the forthcoming rerun election which will hold on 5th March.
The REC said, “INEC cannot conduct a free and fair election without the police, and so we do not take the partnership we have with the police for granted. We will also do all we can to ensure that the relationship is nurtured.