Electioneering : IGP Directs Implementation Of Robust Security Measures

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered for the implementation of a robust, elaborate arrangement and measures to ensure adequate security and safety for the electioneering campaigns and rallies of political parties throughout the Country.
Accordingly, the IGP directed Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the supervising Assistant Inspector General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands to protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns, rallies and other approved electioneering activities of all Political Parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), throughout the Country from now till the end of the stipulated campaign period for the 2019 General Elections. 

The directives followed the commencement of electioneering campaigns by political parties in keeping with the release of the Time Table and Schedule of activities for 2019 General Elections by the INEC and the commencement of campaign by Political Parties for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections which took off November 18, 2018 as well as the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections scheduled to kick start December 1, 2018.

These were contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting DCP Jiomh Moshood in which the police high command further said that 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. 

The IGP also instructed Commissioners of Police in the Commands and Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police throughout the Country 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). 
Moshood further 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. 
“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 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. 
“The Commissioners of Police in the Thirty Six (36) States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are to continue the meetings of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with INEC and other Security and Safety Agencies on the implementation of the action plans and security arrangements of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring adequate security for the political campaigns and rallies for the 2019 General Elections.”
Moshood said the IGP 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 focused and provide security for all throughout the period.  
The police implored parents and guidance, traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders 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.