By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Ahead of the 2023 General pools, the Commissioner Of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Yekini A. Ayoku, psc(+),mni has held a parley with politicians and other stakeholders in the state, warning that no room will be given for the flouting of the Amended Electoral Act, or any acts that would lead to breakdown of law and order.
At the meeting with political party leaders and other stakeholders held on October 5, 2022 at the Police Officers’ Mess Kaduna, CP Ayoku said that the primacy of the Nigeria Police Force in election security management is not new to all those present.
“I take the liberty of this interface to remind you of our expectations of you and what the new Electoral Act requires of you:
“3.1 The law prohibits the use of non-state security outfits and the bearing or use of weapons such as dane guns, swords, daggers, bows, arrows and other dangerous weapons at campaign venues.
“3.2 Political parties and candidates are mandated to base their campaigns on issues and ideas as politics is basically a contest of ideas without bitterness. You are to eschew violence, hate speech, indecorous language which have the tendency of escalating into chaos.
“3.3 I have to seriously warn against removal/defacing of opponents’ posters and banners as I equally remind that there should be no pasting of banners on public buildings as government institutions, schools, hospitals, INEC offices and worship centres.
“3.4 In planning your campaign itinerary, I require you to submit your campaign schedule/application for security to my office 48 hours prior to such campaigns or rallies for proper harmonization to avoid clash or convergence of such activities at the same location, day and conflicting timing.
“3.5 Political parties are strongly advised not to make the mistake of employing the services of thugs and other miscreants in the electoral process. Parents and guardians are equally warned to caution their children and wards into being used for thuggery. Politicians in this state should not, in their own interest, test the will and capacity of the State Police Command to strictly enforce the laws governing the electoral process. Violators, regardless status, will be arrested and dealt with without mercy in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws,” he said.
While welcoming them to the meeting on behalf of the State Police Command, he congratulated all the political parties on the successful conduct of their party primaries, which have produced candidates for the various elective offices.
“Recall that by the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines for the 2023 General Elections, electioneering activities have commenced with the lifting of the veil on campaigns on 28th September, 2022.
“According to our laws, political parties are the only vehicles through which individuals interested and willing to serve their community, state and country contest for elective positions.
“Hence, the appositeness of this invitation to reemphasise to you and your various candidates the responsibilities that the law imposed on you and in the same vein, to equally remind you in no unmistakable terms our expectations from your respective ends so as to be on the same page.
“That is the task the constitution and other relevant statutes have placed on us and we shall resolutely discharge this duty of securing the electoral process before, during and after the election in close collaboration and robust synergy with INEC and other security agencies. In doing this, I assure you all that a level playing field shall be provided for all political parties and actors. The Nigeria Police will be professional, unbiased and impartial in its dealings and engagement with all political parties and in the electoral process,” he assured.
CP Ayoku stressed that politics is and should be taken as a game with its rules and such rules should strictly be abided with.
“Politics is a civil and civilised endeavour which is propelled by higher ideals of service and not for self aggrandisement. Hence, it does not call for desperation that is capable of pushing one into running foul of the law.
“As political leaders and candidates, you will be held responsible and accountable for the conduct of your members and supporters and hence, the need to rein in overzealous supporters cannot be overemphasised.
“I am very confident that with the support of all of you and other critical stakeholders in the electoral process, the forthcoming general elections and the activities leading up to it in this state, shall be peaceful, free, fair and hitch-free. That is what our country expects of us and that is what we owe our people and our fatherland,” he said.
