The Zone 13 Command of the Nigeria Police Force has warned parties involved in the leadership crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against dragging the police into the party’s internal affairs.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), ASP Chidera Oha, who issued the warning on Monday, maintained that the command has no involvement in partisan politics.
The lingering leadership crisis within the Anambra APC has taken a new dimension, with members of the party accusing some security operatives of fuelling the internal conflict.
Some stakeholders loyal to Senator Emma Anosike alleged that the protracted leadership tussle within the party is being sustained by certain individuals using the police to advance their political interests.
The crisis escalated on Sunday when members of the faction led by Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo reportedly gained access to the APC state secretariat after presenting a Federal High Court judgment obtained in Abuja, which they claimed recognised them as the legitimate executive of the party in the state.
However, the Senator Emma Anosike-led faction alleged that operatives attached to Police Zone 13 were used to facilitate the forceful takeover of the party secretariat, despite the fact that an application for a stay of execution had already been filed against the court judgment.
According to the Anosike faction, the Anambra State Police Command had earlier declined a request by the Osegbo faction for police intervention, advising them instead to channel their grievances to the APC National Chairman and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The faction also expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the meddlesomeness of some overzealous security operatives, alleging that they acted without the approval or knowledge of their superior officers.
Consequently, the group called on senior police authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that any officers found to have been involved are held accountable.
Speaking on behalf of the Senator Emma Anosike-led executive, Mr Bright Osemeka described Sunday’s incident at the APC state secretariat as unfortunate and unbecoming of individuals who claim to be loyal and card-carrying members of the party.
According to Osemeka, the forceful entry into the secretariat has further deepened the crisis within the Anambra APC and threatens ongoing efforts aimed at restoring unity and stability in the party.
Reacting to the allegations, ASP Oha insisted that the Zone 13 Command had no role whatsoever in the APC leadership dispute.
He stated that the police neither interfere in nor participate in party politics, stressing that Zone 13 should not be associated with any activities arising from the internal crisis within the Anambra APC.
Oha urged members of the public to disregard the allegations, describing them as mere hearsay.
He added that there is no credible or circumstantial evidence linking the Zone 13 Police Command or any of its operatives to the claims made by unnamed individuals.
