By Dwelleth Morountodun
Following the roll out of the time table for 2019 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
and the commencement of campaign by political parties for the elections which took off on Sunday, the Police on Monday said it will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individuals or group that will cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the country during the campaigns.
According to the statement signed by the Force PRO, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, he said Police has carried out threat assessment and deployment of its personnel to flash points and vulnerable areas have been carried out to prevent and nip in the bud any form of inter-party frictions, political thuggery and clashes that can lead to disturbance of public peace anywhere in the country.
Idris, said: “All Political Parties are hereby advised to abide by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC guidelines, and play the game according to the rules.
“They are to prevail on their flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence or disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond.
“The Commissioners of Police in the Commands and Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police throughout the Country are under strict instructions of the Inspector General of Police not to tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conducts and over dramatization of political fans that can precipitate political clashes and jeopardize prevailing peace in their Commands from any Political Party or Politician(s).
“Commissioners of Police are to effect arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective States.”
The IG, said the Commissioners of Police in the 36 State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands have also been directed by the IGP to protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns, rallies and other INEC approved electioneering activities of all Political Parties throughout the Country from now on till the end of the stipulated campaign period for the elections.
He said all the political parties should advised to abide by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC Guidelines, and play the game according to the rules, adding that they are to prevail on their flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence or disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond.
Commissioners of Police, the IG said are to effect arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective States.