2023: Governors responsible for political violence, says inspector general of police

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has blamed Nigerian Governors of responsible for the increasing incidences of political violence in the country, stressing that they encourage political thugs

Penpushing reports that, Baba made this known during a meeting with the leadership of political parties and other stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja affirming that the authorities have received reports of involvement of some of the governors in regards such.

The police boss explained that the meeting was called to engage political parties’ leadership on the increasing trend of political violence and to present a common front in addressing the issues, before, during and after elections.

“We have been receiving reports of some state governors who encourage political thugs. They use sub-national security outfits under their control to disrupt seamless and statutorily guaranteed campaign activities of parties or candidates with whom they hold opposing political views’, he said.

“In so doing, they deploy their powers and influence to either prevent the mounting of campaign billboards or pull them down. They also deny political opponents of spaces to undertake their campaigns or peaceful political congregations in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (As amended)’, Baba added

Penpushing further reports that, he blamed most incidents of violence on political extremism, misinformation, intolerance, wrong political orientation, hate speeches, incitement and desperation of strategic actors.

The Inspector General of Police pointed out that, such actors usually give the wrong direction to their party faithful, arm them, reorient them and encourage them to resort to the use of threat, violence, and other extra-legal means to frustrate competing political parties.

Penpushing also reports that, Baba stated that political violence in any form, shape or manifestation is an offence under the electoral act and a crime under extant criminal laws of the country, stressing that the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in fulfilment of their statutory obligations would remain duty-bound to initiate enforcement actions to restore order within the political and national security systems.

The Inspector General of Police promised to adopt proactive steps to identify, isolate, apprehend and bring any political actor and their thugs at political rallies or any other political engagement to deserved justice.

“We have also resolved to emplace firm actions that will deter targeted attacks on INEC assets across the country. More than a stern warning, this is a clarion call for us all, both as security agencies and political actors to speak out with one voice in condemning political violence,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that, he noted that the leadership of political parties are critical in the eradication of political intolerance, threat, violence and other negative tendencies in democratic processes.

The police boss said this was because they are the strategic gatekeepers to our democracy whose conducts or misconducts have a reverberating effect on the actions of their followers, and appealed to the leadership of political parties to be determined to show the right leadership virtues and publicly dissociate themselves from acts of political brigandage and violence.

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