The Nigeria Police in a statement says it is ready for 2019 General Elections, as they release security arrangement for campaigns and rallies by political parties nationwide.
The police in a press release signed by Public Relation Officer, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, has directed the implementation of a robust and elaborate security arrangement and measures to ensure adequate security and safety for the electioneering campaigns and rallies throughout the Country.
According to INEC’s official time table and schedule of activities, the rallies and campaign by Political Parties for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections started on Sunday, 18th November, 2018 while that of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly will start on Saturday, 1st December.
According to Moshood, “The Commissioners of Police in the Thirty Six (36) State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the Twelve (12) Zonal Commands have also been directed by the Inspector General of Police 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 2019 General Elections.”
“Threat Assessment and deployment of Police 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.”
On the issue of election violence, he says “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).”
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“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.”
“Parents and Guidance, Traditional/Religious Leaders, Public Office Holders are hereby implored to monitor their children, wards, subjects and adherent to be law abiding and resist to be used to cause disturbance of public peace and violation of law and order during the period of the campaigns and beyond.”
The police have again, warned against the use of hate speech, saying it is a crime and that the law will prevail.
“The Force will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individual(s) or group(s) that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond. The full weight of the law will be applied on any individual(s) or group(s) arrested.”
On the disturbing and trending topic of police officers constituting nuisance for politicians or political parties, he says, “The Inspector General of Police has equally warned all Commissioners of Police in all the State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other Senior Officers that have one role or the other to play in the implementation of the security arrangement for the 2019 General Elections not to engage in political partisanship or bias but to remain focus and provide security for all throughout the period.”
