Kwara bye election: Senate investigates alleged partisanship of security agencies

The Senate has directed its Committee on Police and National Security to probe the alleged harassment and intimidation of voters in the just concluded bye election in Kwara State by security agencies.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had confirmed Raheem Olawuyi, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as winner of the vacant House of Representatives seat for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State.
But coming under point of order, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim complained about intimidation and harassment of voters during the bye-election in Kwara State on Saturday.
Ibrahim said: “On the 15th of November, 2018 at 4:15pm, a police helicopter landed and offloaded some packages during the House of Representatives bye-election all these were under the direct order of IG of Police.
“Less than 45 per cent of registered voters showed up for the election because of the harassment and arrest going on.
“The DSS (Department of State Services) were protecting only members of the ruling party.
“Let us bring this to the motive of well meaning Nigerians and the International Community.”
Senator Ibrahim submitted pictorial evidence to back up allegations against the security agencies in the just concluded bye election in Kwara State.
Thereafter, the Senate resolved to direct the Committee on Police and National Intelligence to investigate into this matter and report back to the Senate.
In his remarks to the motion, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, urged his colleague to rise above partisan view on this issue of harassment and intimidation of voters during the election.
According to Saraki: “We must rise above partisan views.
“We have the responsibility as representatives of the people to ensure the election does not involve issues of harassment to the nation and the security operatives must be seen to be non partisan.”
He added that a situation where individuals are not allowed to carry out their voting right is a recipe for disaster and must be prevented.