FG Plans to Arrest ''Trouble Makers'' on Election Eve

New information reaching me says that before the eve of tomorrow, some keys players will be arrested ahead of Saturday’s presidential election. Some of these people that will be arrested include Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC Spokesman, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many others. 

Yesterday it was indicated strongly that security agencies may clamp down on “troublemakers” ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

One of the sources, who confided in one of our correspondents, said armed security personnel   would also be drafted to streets where the “persons of interest” reside.

Shortly after the security sources spoke, the All Progressives Congress said it was worried about the plot to arrest some of its leaders, especially Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

The party said it also learnt there was a move by the security agents to restrict the movement of the Director-General of its campaign organisation and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The APC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, however expressed confidence that Nigerians would resist any attempt by the ruling People’s Democratic Party to use security agents to harass, intimidate and arrest opposition figures during the elections.

It will be recalled that some APC governors were prevented by security agents from entering Ado-Ekiti   a day to the June 21, 2014 election in Ekiti State.

The APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, who was one of the governors was reportedly harassed in Odudu, Ondo State, by armed soldiers   as he tried to enter the state capital from the Akure Airport.

The chartered plane that took him to the Akure was detained after landing

The other governor stopped from entering  Ado-Ekiti   was Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. A helicopter that was   take him  from Benin to Ado-Ekiti was not granted permission to take off from the Benin Airport.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said anyone who caused trouble or violence during and after the polls would be arrested.

Ojukwu, who reaffirmed the readiness of the police to raid all dark spots, added that people who refused to obey the electoral law would be treated as “troublemakers” and be made to face the law.

He however explained that no member of any political party would be targeted by the police.

Sources at the Presidency on Wednesday told one of our correspondents that there was no order by Jonathan to security agencies to arrest   or restrict the movement of any influential Nigerian during the elections.

They however said since   security agencies had the responsibility of ensuring hitch-free elections, they   were free to take steps within the ambit of the law to forestall a breakdown of law and order.