The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has called on all commissioners of police to provide security for political parties embarking on electioneering in all the nooks and crannies of any state ahead the 2023 general elections.
Baba who spoke at the 2022 political parties’ summit organised by the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja said any commissioner who fails to carry out his responsibility within the ambit of the law and decide to dance to the tunes of state governors would be removed.
Represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, Dandaura Mustapha, he said: “On the issue of election violence, the campaign has started.
“We have been receiving a lot of complains from political parties. It is unfortunate of what is happening this period.
“They have not laid a solid foundation, give other political parties access to campaign programmes. Some try to manipulate the campaign.
“Some even sponsor touts to pursue the opposition, remove their billboards and posters and destroy their offices.
“Based on this, the Inspector General of Police, has categorically directed all the commissioners of police that on no account should any serving or sitting governor stop other political parties from conducting their campaigns in all the nook and cranny of the state.
“They have been directed and warned to provide security for all the aspirants. No matter where they are going, they will attach security.”
Also, EFCC Chairman, who was represented by the Chief Supretendent in the Commission, Adukwu Michael, noted that EFCC had embarked on voter’s education and it is working to ensure that politicians do not spend beyond the stipulated amount.
He said: “The Commission focus in election management is discouraging the use of money to influence the outcome of election.
“Whenever one is induced to sell his vote, he automatic loses moral ground to challenge corrupt tendencies of those elected.
“In the 2015 discreet investigation, the Commission was able to uncovered a ground plan to compromise the 2015 general election through massive cash payment to politicians $115 million was paid out to politicians by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezan Alison-Madukwe, to compromise the election.”
Also, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said political parties and their candidates must adhere to democratic norms and “collectively intervene to achieve the kind of credible elections that will further deepen democracy.”
In addition, the keynote speaker, Senator Pius Anyim, argued that political parties must adhere to the principles of social justice as a means of preventing crisis.
