OYO POLICE COMMISSIONER READS RIOT ACT TO POLITICIANS AHEAD OF POLL

The Police boss noted that the meeting was called in compliance with the Inspector General of Police. Abubakar Adamu Mohammed  directive on the need to have a peaceful atmosphere preparatory to the forthcoming general elections.

Penpushing further reports that, he said, though Oyo State is adjudged as one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria, nonetheless, there is absolute needs to maintain and retain this enviable status before, during and after the election.

“We are concern by recent disturbing activities of some overzealous party supporters whose action, caustic comments or utterance prelude crisis and could set the stage for violence in the state, needless to say that this is capable of threatening free, fair and credible election in the State’.

The Commissioner  pointed out that the command has been inundated with petitions by some aggrieved party loyalists who complained that their posters and bill board were being maliciously defaced, destroyed or removed outright by yet to be identified agent of opposition parties, and similarly, some political parties has begun making inflammatory statement and hate speeches  aimed at denigrating their opponents.

“It is for this reason that we fervently call on all party leaders, candidates and their supporters to exhibit high sense of responsibility and decorum, and play the game according to the rules especially during campaign rallies. We also expect that politicians especially candidates to warn their supporters against further engaging in embarrassing acts or conduct earlier mentioned throughout the electioneering period’.

He reiterated further that his command will not fold its arms while some disgruntled, anti-democratic elements set the state on conflagration of some sort, adding that the police are determined to deal decisively with individuals, or politician no matter how highly placed who engaged in any form of violence before, during or after the election.

“We appreciate the maturity displayed by party loyalists in the face of provocation, we warn those responsible for these indecorous, but criminal acts to desist forthwith. We reiterated our resolution to provide adequate security for the electorate as well as other participants in the electoral process irrespective of their political affiliation’.

“We are determined to provide level playing ground for all. We are also resolutely committed  to providing peaceful and conducive atmosphere devoid of acrimony throughout the electioneering period, we will bring the full weight of the law on any group or individual who indulge in acts capable of heating up the polity’.

“Let us all be reminded that the ban on proliferation of illegal arms is still in force. Therefore anyone found in possession of illegal lethal arms or ammunition will face the consequence. We urge all parents and guidance to talk to their children. The youth must not allow themselves to be used as political thugs to cause violence in any part of the state. They must not be cajoled by selfish politicians who might want to use them to settle political scores’.

The police boss, however urged everybody to see themselves as an agent of change and progress not agents of retrogression and destabilization so that the peace and tranquility needed for co-existence and for the survival of the democracy is not jeopardise.

Penpushing also reports that, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke  in his remark, added that security of voters is guaranteed before, during and after election, noting that an agreement has also been signed by all the political parties, candidates and major stakeholders to maintain peace and accord.

The electoral boss stressed that no result can be manipulated because the commission has put in place some security measures by coding some of its materials, giving assurance that people’s vote will be counted during the poll.

“I want to urge all of you to desist from all the inflammatory statement that can cause trouble during the election period, don’t let the peace accord we signed today be a formality’, Agboke emphasized, and also urged the people of the state to maintain peace and order and they should not allow any politician to deceive them because everybody’s vote will be counted.

“We want to tell our people that their vote will be counted and we stand by our words because this remains sacrosanct.