Nasarawa Police tasks politicians on sensitisation of party followers

As campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election commenced across the country, the Nasarawa State Police Command has called on leaders of political parties in the state to caution their supporters of the need to shun violence.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Soyemi Adesina stated this during a stakeholder meeting of all registered political parties in the state in preparation for political campaigns/ rallies towards the forthcoming 2023 general election, at the state Police headquarters in Lafia the state capital.

He explained that all serving police officers in the command have been tasked to be neutral, and alert, and display a high degree of professionalism and fairness in their dealings with all political parties.

CP further called on all political parties to come up with a campaign roadmap that would address possible conflicts with date, time, and venues.

“I want to advise and warn that all political parties and actors must subsume their campaigns within the extant legal framework to avoid actions or speeches that could inflame the political order”, 

“All political parties are expected to apply for permission to hold rallies seventy-two hours (72hrs) before a rally is held, as security and safety of all attendees will be put into consideration before approving”, 

“I urge you all to go back and prevail on your supporters to be of good conduct by shunning any act capable of disrupting the peace being enjoyed in the state, as police will not tolerate any surreptitious move by any political party to foment trouble”, Commissioner noted.

He, therefore, added that all registered party chairmen should sign an undertaking on behalf of their political parties to be law-abiding and of good conduct throughout the electioneering period.

Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (INEC), Mr. Uthman Ajidagba, represented by his Administrative Secretary, Mr. Usman Wase, said there shall be total impartiality at their end.

Wase, further highlighted some of the do’s and don’ts of the 2022 electoral act, ” political parties are prohibited from using public institutions for campaigns such as Mosques, Church and Market”

“The use of abusive language, defamation of one character, and slander are all not allowed during the campaign”, 

He appealed to the political parties for maximum support and cooperation with INEC, security agencies, and other stakeholders for violence-free, elections.

Voice of Nigeria reports that in their separate speeches the head of different political parties gave their commitments to ensuring that the state has hitch-free campaigns event. Just as they tasked INEC not to be biased in their conduct.

N.O