2023: Kaduna Police Warn Politicians Against Use Of Thugs During Election  

By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna

The Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Police Command, CP Yekini Ayoku has called on politicians, political parties and their supporters to desist from using thugs and other miscreants in the electoral process.

The CP asserted this during a meeting between the commissioner of Police, other security agencies, political parties and their candidates and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Friday in Kaduna.

He said, recent happenings in the polity since the commencement of political activities have given vent to some worrying signs, hence the need for pro-activeness and for all hands to be on deck to protect the sanctity of the process.

Adding, the Electoral Act 2022 especially in Sections 92 – 97 has prohibited and criminalized a number of conducts and acts, however, the engagement of non-state security outfits for campaigns, rallies and other activities in the electoral process is not allowed.

Equally, it is an offence to bear or use weapons such as Dane guns, swords, daggers, bows, arrows and other dangerous weapons at campaign venues, he emphasized.

“Politics should be embraced as a game with its rules and such rules have to be strictly abided with.”

While assuring the Police and other security agencies robust support to INEC as it midwives the electoral process, the CP reiterated their resolute in discharging their mandate of securing the process and providing the right security environment for delivery of a free, fair, hitch free polls.

“We assure you that we shall be professional, unbiased, fair and impartial in our dealings with all political parties and I need to warn however that nobody should doubt our will and capacity to strictly enforce the relevant laws guiding the process as we will deal ruthlessly with anyone who chooses to contravene the stipulation of the Electoral Act.”

Speaking during the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kaduna State, Dr. Mahmoud Isa said the Independent National Electoral Commission is fully prepared for a peaceful and credible election in the state.

Represented by Dr. Auwal Mashi, he said INEC will only allow electorates vote after they must have presented their voter card to be verified by the BVAS, hence calling on all and sundry to ensure they collect their voter cards before the day of the general election.

He however, called on political actors to warn their supporters against use of negative utterances to avoid overheating the polity.